The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held a meeting on March 31 to review a set of regulations on ecological and environmental protection inspections, as well as a report on the fourth round of disciplinary inspections conducted by the 20th CPC Central Committee. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting.

It was noted at the meeting that central environmental protection inspections are a major initiative by the CPC Central Committee to advance ecological progress. These inspections have ensured that officials at all levels fulfill their political duties regarding environmental protection, strictly investigated and addressed a number of major typical cases of ecological and environmental damage, and pushed for the resolution of a series of pressing environmental issues that have drawn strong public concern. The inspections have yielded positive outcomes.

The meeting emphasized the need to uphold and strengthen the Party's leadership over environmental protection inspections, continue leveraging the role of inspections as a powerful tool, and further press all regions and government departments to shoulder their political responsibilities for advancing the building of a Beautiful China. It is essential to firmly focus on the accountability system, keep in mind the bigger picture, adhere to strict standards, have the courage to tackle tough issues, persistently uncover and earnestly address problems, and more effectively implement the CPC Central Committee's decisions and plans on pursuing ecological progress. Efforts must be made to strengthen the building of inspection teams by enhancing regulation and management and enforcing strict discipline and standards of conduct.

It was noted at the meeting that central disciplinary inspection teams uncovered some problems during their inspections of certain central Party and state institutions, and that earnest efforts must be made to rigorously rectify the problems. It is essential to enhance political awareness, earnestly fulfill the responsibilities and tasks entrusted by the CPC Central Committee, and take concrete actions to uphold Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the CPC Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and uphold the CPC Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership. It is essential to strengthen the sense of political responsibility, uphold fundamental principles while breaking new ground, enhance top-level design and overall planning, and resolutely advance the implementation of all reform tasks. Efforts must be made to strengthen leadership teams by addressing the problems of officials acting arbitrarily or lacking the willingness, courage or ability to deliver, while making it a regular practice that officials can be demoted as well as promoted. It is imperative to earnestly fulfill the political responsibility for governance over the Party, follow high standards and rigorous requirements, persevere in improving conduct, enforcing discipline and fighting corruption, and build political institutions of integrity and honesty.

Noting that the year 2025 is pivotal for expanding disciplinary inspections to cover all areas, the meeting said it is imperative to follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, fully implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and the second and third plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, and continuously promote the high-quality development of disciplinary inspections. It is crucial to focus on central tasks and serve the overall situation, deepen political inspections, and take the implementation of the CPC Central Committee's decisions and arrangements as the focus of oversight, thus providing strong guarantees for advancing Chinese modernization. The meeting stressed maintaining a problem-oriented approach, following strict standards, keeping a close watch on key issues, key areas and key targets, and strengthening oversight over top leaders as well as leadership teams. It is necessary to apply systems thinking, leverage the comprehensive supervisory role of inspections, and strengthen coordination between inspections and other means of oversight to form synergy. It is also essential to seek truth from facts, abide by regulations, discipline and laws, accurately understand policies, faithfully report problems, strengthen awareness of discipline and the rule of law, and rigorously exercise internal management and oversight.

The meeting also discussed other matters.