Why did the 4th Central Conference in 3 consecutive terms discuss Party building and rectification?

Speaking with vov.vn reporter, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Giang - senior lecturer (Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics) said that Party building and rectification is always a key, especially important task, of vital significance to our Party and our regime.

Besides the advantages, our country is also facing many challenges, which requires our Party to continuously and regularly build and rectify.

PV:Sir, why in three consecutive terms (terms XI, XII, XIII), the Central Committee discussed the content of Party building and rectification at the 4th Conference?

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Van Giang:For three consecutive terms - the 11th, 12th, and 13th Congresses all chose the 4th Central Conference as the first conference of each term to discuss the work of Party building and rectification. This is very logical, not accidental. Because our Party has determined that in the current renovation process, we are implementing the economic development direction as the central task, and Party building is the key. To carry out the key task of Party building, this content must be included in the first conference of each term for discussion and implementation.

PV:As someone who follows Party building work, can you tell us what are the fundamental differences between the 4th Central Conference of the 11th and 12th tenures and the 4th Central Conference of the 13th tenure?

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Van Giang:We have to wait for the Conclusion of the 4th Central Conference on specific viewpoints, tasks and solutions. However, looking from a general and general perspective, we can see that the Resolution of the 4th Central Conference, Session XI (2011) has a pioneering nature, directly attacking the weaknesses of Party building work.

These weaknesses are the result of a period when we were somewhat negligent, took lightly or invested inadequately in Party building work. This led to a period when all aspects of Party building work were not done well, especially the work of criticism, self-criticism, inspection, supervision, fighting to prevent, detect, and handle violations within the Party, and handling degraded cadres were not done resolutely.

Not just in one term, but in many previous terms, we have not acted resolutely, leading to accumulation. Previously, there was a group of Party members and cadres who had degraded, but gradually that group grew into “a not small group”.

The 4th Resolution of the 11th Central Committee was a determination and solution to directly attack the weaknesses that have accumulated for a long time. Our Party has deployed on many fronts, identifying 3 urgent issues: the problem of degradation, the problem of building a contingent of cadres and personal responsibility.

One of the basic measures that the Party implemented at that time was criticism and self-criticism throughout the Party, from the Central Committee down, as the saying goes, "washing from the top down". This was a drastic measure, implemented throughout the Party, along with measures on organization, ideological work... to build and rectify the Party.

Five years later, based on the results of the 11th Central Committee Resolution 4, our Party implemented the 12th Central Committee Resolution 4, focusing on weaknesses, ineffective and remaining practices. As in the issue of criticism and self-criticism, our Party did not criticize in general but focused on leaders and managers, key officials; combining criticism and self-criticism with inspection, examination and handling work.

As a result, during the 12th term, our Party disciplined 113 officials under the Central Committee's management. It can be said that in no other term have we inspected and disciplined so many senior officials, including 3 Politburo members and 1 former Politburo member. This shows that the Party building work has been implemented more drastically, more focused, with a focus and key points.

Based on the results of the Resolutions of the 4th Central Committee of the 11th and 12th tenures, the Conclusion of the 4th Central Committee Conference of the 13th tenure will focus on the shortcomings; once again affirming and emphasizing to deepen the awareness and perception of cadres and party members that the task of Party building cannot rest but must be done continuously. For those with shortcomings and violations, it is necessary to remember that the fight against corruption and negativity will continue, so those who have "dipped their toes" should stop soon. This has a great effect of alerting, deterring, warning and educating.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Van Giang:In the world, no party has been in power as long as our Party. It can be said that this is the right side of the medal. However, there is a dark side of power that Lenin warned about long ago: when in power, parties will face two major dangers: mistakes in policies and bureaucracy, degeneration, and distance from the people. Bureaucracy, degeneration, and distance from the people will lead to the risk of the Party losing its leadership and collapsing. Not only the Communist Party has these dangers, but all political parties in the world are like that.

For the Communist Party, the lesson of the degradation of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union is still valid. Despite bearing the name of the Communist Party, the Party could not maintain itself and degraded; its cadres and members had privileges, were corrupt, and did not strive for the interests of the working class and the people of the Soviet Union, so the Communist Party of the Soviet Union collapsed.

For our Party, facing the situation of a large number of cadres and party members degenerating, we are clearly facing a danger. Comparing with Lenin's teachings as well as practical experience, if we are not careful, we will follow in that footsteps.

Realizing that, for the survival of the Party, there is no other way but to focus on building and rectifying the Party. Although the economic task is central, if we do not build the Party, even if economic development achieves success, it will be destroyed by degradation, corruption and negativity. As reality has shown in recent times, one corrupt official can cause thousands of billions of dong in losses, and the efforts of millions of workers can be ruined by one person.

There are still many challenges to face.

PV:What challenges does our country's current context pose in the work of Party building and rectification, sir?

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Van Giang:In the current conditions, there are many issues facing the work of Party building. After nearly 40 years of successful renovation, our country has achieved many successes: Economic development, improved people's lives, people's enthusiasm, trust in and support for the Party. This is an important foundation for us to carry out all aspects of Party building work.

Besides the advantages, our country also faces many challenges. In the process of innovation, we follow the socialist-oriented market mechanism. And the socialist-oriented market economy must first of all follow the strict rules of the market economy, which are the polarization of rich and poor, the polarization of interests, and the pursuit of money. These factors have dominated and now show that the polarization of rich and poor is not only in society but also within the Party.

Although they are all party members, some have good conditions, very good income, and very high living conditions, but there is a group of party members who still have to earn a living, selling their labor to work for hire. With the same ideal goal, but different living conditions and interests, how can we unify our ideology? That is also a challenge.

Especially the interests of money and individualism will develop. Recently, a series of high-ranking officials have "collapsed" before money, being influenced by personal interests, leading to violations of Party and State regulations... Those challenges are requiring our Party to continuously and regularly build and rectify.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Van Giang:We must continue to carry out the task of building and rectifying the Party. This is not only a rule, but organizational science has also shown that to prolong the life of an organization, it must constantly renew itself and eliminate outdated and backward elements.

Accordingly, we continue to implement the spirit of Resolution 4 of the 12th Central Committee, first of all, stopping the degradation; focusing on urgent issues arising in Party building work.

In addition to the fight against corruption and degradation, it is necessary to do a better job of personnel work in the spirit of stronger innovation, choosing the right cadres with good qualities, courage, and integrity to build a solid foundation for the Party.

PV:What is the significance of the conclusion of this Central Conference on Party building and rectification for the completion of State policies to contribute to cleaning up the contingent of cadres at all levels, sir?

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Van Giang:In the spirit of the 4th Central Conference, the Conclusion on continuing to implement the Resolution of the 12th Central Committee, Session 4, will be issued. On that basis, the State will continue to improve institutions, laws, and policies to build the political system, build the staff, prevent degradation in the State civil servant team, and improve the quality and efficiency of operations.

On that basis, we will overcome the difficulties that are arising, including disease prevention and control. With a good apparatus and good staff, we will overcome them.

PV:Thank you!./.