context: What shape Party reform should take and how to handle officials and their activities is a continuing and deepening discussion. After a lengthy wait, Xi Jinping has weighed in on at least part of the conversation, arguing that better cadre management starts with locating better cadres. Institutional reform, it seems, is not something Xi sees as the answer to the present challenges.
On 26 Nov 2018, CCP Central Committee Politburo held a study session in which Xi Jinping 习近平 CCP General Secretary addressed the issue of cadre quality, and called for strict standards on integrity and fair personnel appointments. Political integrity, professional ethics, social morality and family values should be the primary considerations where selection and appointment are concerned--standards with a long historical tradition in China, he noted.
Cadres should firmly safeguard the authority of the Party Central Committee and centralised and unified leadership, and be measured by how well they implement the Party line. The Party in its turn should make timely use of outstanding cadres with outstanding abilities, and professional spirit. Xi stressed that the Party should select diverse talents to improve the professionalism of cadre teams. What and how much cadres have accomplished and whether the masses approve should be the basis for promotion.
Xi also emphasised that cadres should be freed from unnecessary administration. Controlling frequency of inspections and report requests will allow cadres to spend more time on implementation.