Commentary: CPC will not tolerate defiance of discipline

BEIJING, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) will never allow its political discipline to be mere decoration, nor will it tolerate any "private clubs" that go their own way.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, said Tuesday that the building of CPC discipline must be further strengthened and that the unity of the CPC must be safeguarded when situations become more complicated and tasks become more arduous.

Xi asked CPC members to act in unison in a a speech he delivered at the plenary meeting of the CPC's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) held from Monday to Tuesday.

Political discipline is a vital part of CPC discipline. If a party has no rules for its political direction, stance and conduct, it is merely a collection of motley fools.

The CPC has been able to achieve one success after another in the process of China's revolution, construction and reform because it has been equipped with revolutionary ideals and its members have observed discipline.

Allowing party members to go their separate ways and do what they want has robbed some of the world's big political parties of their unity and their grip on power.

For the CPC, clear and strict political discipline has been a glorious tradition and a distinct advantage. However, there are still some CPC members and officials who have failed to observe such discipline.

Some of them make irresponsible remarks about major political issues; some pretend to be in agreement with the decisions of the Central Committee but are actually at odds; others tend to say whatever they like to say and do whatever they want to do.

Last year's scandal involving Bo Xilai, a former member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, as well as actions committed by his crony Wang Lijun, are cases that fall into the latter category.

CPC organizations and officials at all levels must abide by the party's Constitution and be politically compatible with the Central Committee in both thought and action. The CPC will never tolerate any compromise made by officials or departments in carrying out decisions made by the Central Committee.

Iron disciplines must be implemented with an iron fist. There is no room for members who think they are "special" enough to defy CPC discipline. CPC organizations and disciplinary arms at all levels must refrain from taking a laissez-faire attitude toward irresponsible CPC members, especially those in leading positions. Violators of discipline must be punished according to regulations and laws.

Strict political discipline should not ring hollow among CPC members. For a party that boasts more than 82 million members and is shouldered with the task of boosting China's development, iron discipline must be implemented to ensure solidarity and strength.