Xi says Party needs strict governance

He urged officials at various levels, especially leading officials, to assume their political responsibility in Party governance, always maintain a soberness in standing up to tests and stay alert against corruption and being lured into corrupt acts.

He reiterated the significance of continuing to enhance the Party's ability to purify, improve and reform itself so that it can guide and ensure that the journey of socialism with Chinese characteristics moves forward steadily.

In his remarks, Xi recalled an extraordinary year in the history of New China in 2020, saying that the people have felt keenly that the Party's firm leadership and the authority of the CPC Central Committee proved to be the most reliable in the face of difficult circumstances.

He stressed the need to improve political judgment, understanding and execution in exercising full and strict governance over the Party.

Corruption remained the largest risk threatening the Party's governance, and political and economic issues are becoming intertwined, posing threats to the political security of both the Party and the nation, he said. He went on to say that traditional and new types of corruption are also mixed up and corrupt behaviors are becoming more elusive and complicated.