On October 16 2025, Chinese Ambassador to Botswana H.E. Mr. Fan Yong published an article titled How Eight-Point Decision changed China in the local newspaper Botswana Guardian. The full text is as follows:

——Why is a political party with over a century of history so full of vitality? Why is a large party with over 99 million members so closely united? Why the CPC could always sustain people’s support?

These are problems I often met with when talking about China. Today, I would like to share my opinions with our Botswana readers.

What is Eight-Point Decision

For quite a long time, the Communist Party of China (CPC) faced problems of formalism, bureaucratism, hedonism, and extravagance - collectively known as the "Four Malfeasances". "If we fail to strictly govern the Party and correct prominent issues that the people strongly oppose, our Party will eventually lose its governing qualification and inevitably be discarded by history," Chinese President Xi Jinping, also General Secretary of CPC, noted at a meeting in 2013. 

To solve these problems and build a clean and capable team of officials, the Eight-Point Decision on improving Party and government conduct and building closer ties with the people was issued at a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on December 4, 2012. It covers the following main areas:

• Doing better research and analysis and truly understanding actual conditions when doing grassroots-level studies;

• Streamlining meetings and improving the way meetings are conducted;

• Making documents and briefing papers more concise and improving writing styles;

• Standardizing procedures for working visits abroad;

• Improving security guard work and continuing to observe the principle of doing what improves relations with the people;

• Improving news reporting;

• Having strict rules on the publication of articles; and

• Promoting frugality and the strict observance of rules on incorruptibility in government.

Following the release of the Eight-Point Decision, a series of measures on work practices are being issued.

Although just about 600 words, the decision established strict standards for Party conduct, and profoundly changed both the Party and the country after over a decade of implementation.

Remarkable impact

Public found that extravagant banquets, wasteful ceremonies and hollow documents have given way to a culture of efficiency and responsibility. The decision has dismantled unhealthy relationships between officials and businessmen, ensuring that resources serve the people, not private interests. In turn, this has created a fairer and more vibrant economic environment, fueling high-quality growth and strengthening the momentum of Chinese modernization.

Socially, the Eight-Point Decision has touched lives across the country. It has removed obstacles between the Party and the citizens, earning heartfelt trust and support from citizens. This closeness has become a source of unity, stability and confidence for the entire nation.

Culturally, the decision has swept away outdated formalism and bureaucratism. It has set new standards of public morality and work ethic, reminding officials and citizens that integrity, modesty and diligence are the hallmarks of a great civilization. By setting these examples, the Party has not only purified its own conduct but also inspired a renaissance of social values in line with the spirit of the Chinese nation.

In governance, the Eight-Point Decision has proven to be a decisive turning point. It is the "small incision" that has triggered a major transformation in how the CPC governs itself and the country.

After more than a decade of consistent efforts, Eight-Point Decision has become a symbol of integrity, a model of leadership and a cornerstone of the nation's progress in the new era. This decision has not only reshaped the conduct of Party and government officials, but has also inspired profound transformations in Chinese society, economy, culture and governance. It has proven that small, precise measures, when driven by determination, can spark historic change.

Top-down implementation

Top-down implementation has effectively guided and promoted the Party's adherence to the spirit of the Eight-Point Decision. Practice has shown that our Party keeps its words. What is said must be done, and what is promised must be fulfilled.

From the start of the Eight-Point Decision, General Secretary Xi Jinping has been setting a personal example. He stated that “leading officials at all levels must lead by example and serve as role models, and they must do as they say and live up to their promises. Within the Political Bureau, I will start with myself.”

Zero-tolerance attitude

The central government has also maintained a zero-tolerance attitude toward corruption while addressing its root causes. Through strict discipline, tireless anti-corruption campaigns and continuous self-renewal, the CPC has shown its ability to lead with both strength and honesty. It has made clear that corruption will not be tolerated, that bureaucracy will be broken down and that those entrusted with power must always remember they are servants of the people.

The statistics speak loudly. In 2024 alone, over 225,000 violations of the Eight-Point Decision were investigated, showing that enforcement is real and relentless. Behind each case lies a lesson, a reminder, and a safeguard that ensures the Party remains pure, united, and ready to meet the challenges of the future.

Never-ending fight 

This year is the final year of the 14th Five-Year Plan of China and an important year for further comprehensively deepening reforms. It puts forward new and higher requirements for the Party organizations at all levels to correctly judge the situation, scientifically plan reforms, and promote the implementation of reforms. The heavier the task, the more we must strengthen party conduct and discipline.

Based on this, the Party Central Committee decided to launch a study and education campaign throughout the Party to thoroughly implement the spirit of the Eight-Point Decision. General Secretary Xi Jinping stated this March: "In recent years, the Eight-Point Decision has indeed brought about fundamental changes, and the atmosphere has been completely renewed. Most of the previously intractable problems have been resolved. At the same time, we must see that some places have become lax, some areas still have blind spots and loopholes, and some bad practices have rebounded. Like driving in nails, we need to drive them in a few more times, and work tirelessly to transform conduct into custom."

As the Party marked its 104th anniversary this July, the campaign on the Eight-Point Decision sent a clear message: The fight against corruption will never end! The task of improving our conduct and discipline will never end! 　　

Along the way, the Eight-Point Decision has cleared away the murky and accumulated small achievements into great ones, using small breakthroughs to drive major changes. On the new journey, continuously implementing the spirit of the Eight-Point Decision and deepening conduct and discipline building will surely provide a strong guarantee for promoting Chinese-style modernization.

——Why is a political party with over a century of history so full of vitality? Why is a large party with over 99 million members so closely united? Why the CPC could always sustain people’s support?

The CPC found an answer in the 1940s when it was ready to found the People’s Republic of China. That is, putting the government under public supervision. Today, in its quest to break the historical cycle of rise and fall, a second answer has been discovered “self-reform”. The Eight-Point Decision is more than just a policy; it is a response to history, a guide for the present and a vision for the future.

The world today is undergoing accelerated changes unseen in a century. All parties are facing new challenges in governance. The CPC would like to share their experiences and exchange ideas with all our African friends to jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind, so as to benefit all our peoples.