The General Office of the CPC Central Committee has issued the “Work Plan on Promoting In-Depth Investigation and Research Throughout the Party.”

　　BEIJING, March 19 (Xinhua) — Recently, the General Office of the CPC Central Committee issued the “Work Plan on Promoting In-Depth Investigation and Research Throughout the Party” and circulated a notice calling on all regions and departments to conscientiously implement it in light of their specific circumstances.

　　The full text of the “Work Plan on Promoting In-Depth Investigation and Research Throughout the Party” is as follows.

　　To thoroughly study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and fully carry out the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the CPC Central Committee has decided to launch a campaign of extensive investigation and research throughout the Party. This initiative will serve as a key component of the thematic education being conducted across the Party, helping to ensure a strong start and steady progress in the comprehensive effort to build a modern socialist country. The following work plan is hereby formulated.

　　I. Significant Importance

　　Investigative research is a treasured tradition of our Party. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has attached great importance to investigative research. General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized that such research is the foundation for planning and the key to success; without investigation, there can be no authority to speak, nor the power to make sound decisions. Sound decision-making cannot do without investigative research, nor can effective implementation. Investigative research is the living source of genuine insight and the essential skill for performing one’s duties well. It is imperative to foster a widespread culture of investigative research throughout the Party. These important instructions by General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly underscore the paramount importance of investigative research and provide the fundamental guiding principles for the entire Party to vigorously pursue it and to carry out all tasks effectively.

　　At present, China’s development is confronted with new strategic opportunities, new strategic tasks, a new strategic stage, new strategic requirements, and a new strategic environment. The world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, which are accelerating; uncertainties and unpredictable factors are on the rise. Domestically, reform, development, and stability face numerous deep-seated contradictions that cannot be avoided or sidestepped. The array of risks, challenges, difficulties, and problems is more severe and complex than ever before. There is an urgent need to conduct thorough investigations and studies to grasp the essence and underlying laws of matters at hand and to identify effective solutions and pathways for overcoming these challenges. Launching a campaign of extensive investigation and research throughout the Party is an essential requirement for deeply studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, for truly appreciating the truth‑seeking power and practical strength of this important thought; it is also a concrete manifestation of profoundly understanding the decisive significance of the “two establishments” and resolutely upholding the “two safeguards.” Moreover, it constitutes a powerful measure to meet the storms and tests ahead on the journey of the new era and new征程, and to advance Chinese modernization. It responds to the pressing need to remain clear‑headed and steadfast in addressing the unique challenges faced by a large party and to provide answers to the six fundamental questions of “how to always…”; and it serves as an effective means of transforming our work style, strengthening ties with the people, enhancing our capacity to perform our duties, and reinforcing our sense of responsibility and commitment.

　　II. General Requirements

　　To vigorously promote investigation and research throughout the Party, we must adhere to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as our guiding principle, fully implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, and focus closely on the implementation of the Party’s theories, lines, principles, policies, and the major decisions and deployments of the CPC Central Committee. We should vigorously carry forward the Party’s glorious traditions and fine work style, emphasize both problem‑oriented and goal‑oriented approaches, and encourage all Party members and cadres—especially leading cadres—to take the lead in conducting in-depth investigations and studies. This will help deepen our understanding and grasp of the Party’s innovative theories, enable us to apply these theories effectively to study new situations, address emerging issues, summarize fresh experiences, and explore new patterns. We must roll up our sleeves, pursue practical measures, and seek tangible results, ensuring that investigation and research are closely integrated with the central tasks and decision‑making needs, thereby better serving scientific decision‑making, enhancing the Party’s governance capacity and leadership, and fulfilling the missions and tasks of the new era and the new journey.

　　To promote extensive investigation and research throughout the Party, we must uphold the Party’s mass line—drawing from the people and returning to them—strengthen our bonds with the masses, sincerely listen to their voices, faithfully reflect their aspirations, and genuinely care about their hardships. We should consciously learn from the people and from practice, gain sound insights from the creative endeavors of the people, and transform the Party’s correct principles into the conscious actions of the masses. We must adhere to the principle of seeking truth from facts, uphold the Party’s principles, proceed from reality in all things, integrate theory with practice, heed the truth, discern the real situation, uphold what is right, and correct errors; be forthright in reporting both good news and bad, and rely neither on books nor on superiors, but only on reality. We must remain problem‑oriented, cultivate a strong sense of problems, dare to face them and excel at identifying them, taking problem‑solving as our fundamental goal. We should thoroughly understand the situation, accurately pinpoint the issues, and formulate concrete, effective measures, continuously proposing new ideas and approaches that truly address the challenges at hand. We must persevere in tackling tough problems and overcoming obstacles, carry forward the spirit of struggle, sharpen our capacity for struggle, and courageously venture into treacherous waters and break through intractable difficulties—pressing forward in the face of hardship and rising to meet challenges—so that the findings of our investigations are translated into tangible results that advance our work and help us surmount difficulties. We must adopt a systems‑thinking approach, go deep into reality, to the grassroots, and among the people to gather information and gain a thorough understanding of the situation. We should grasp the relationships between the whole and the part, the immediate and the long term, the macro and the micro, the principal and the secondary contradictions, as well as the particular and the general, engage in forward‑looking thinking, make strategic plans on a holistic scale, and promote all undertakings of the Party and the country in an integrated manner.

　　III. Research Content

　　To promote extensive investigation and research throughout the Party, we must focus squarely on fully implementing the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and advancing high-quality development. We should zero in on pressing issues, conduct a thorough inventory of problems and a comprehensive review of difficult challenges, and work to remove bottlenecks, blockages, and sticking points in the process of implementation. Party committees (leading Party groups) at all levels should, in light of their respective functions and responsibilities, prioritize strategic research that bears on the overall situation, policy-oriented research aimed at resolving complex problems, forward-looking research on new developments in the new era, follow-up research on major work projects, in-depth case-study research, and inspection‑based research to ensure effective implementation. They should highlight key priorities, address core issues, and tailor research agendas to actual conditions, focusing primarily on twelve specific areas.

　　1. The main developments and key issues in implementing the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the important instructions and directives of General Secretary Xi Jinping on the work of this region, department, and field.

　　2. Major issues in implementing the new development philosophy, fostering a new development paradigm, and promoting high-quality development; advancing high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and strength; expanding domestic demand; deepening supply-side structural reform; building a modern industrial system; ensuring the effective implementation of the “two unwavering commitments”; attracting and making efficient use of foreign investment; and the key developments and priority challenges in comprehensively advancing rural revitalization.

　　3. Coordinate development and security, ensure the safety of food, energy, industrial and supply chains, production, food and drugs, and public health, and prevent and defuse major economic and financial risks by addressing key situations and priority issues.

　　4. Major issues in the comprehensive deepening of reform and opening-up, reforms in key sectors and critical areas, and the principal developments and salient challenges in advancing high-standard opening-up.

　　5. Major issues in the comprehensive governance of the country according to law, including the improvement of the socialist system of laws with Chinese characteristics, the advancement of law-based administration, the strict and impartial administration of justice, and the building of a society under the rule of law—along with the key developments and salient challenges in these areas.

　　6. The challenges facing the ideological sphere, as well as the key developments and pressing issues in advancing cultural self-confidence and self-reliance, building a strong socialist culture, guiding public opinion and the media, and implementing comprehensive governance of the internet.

　　7. Major issues in advancing common prosperity and enhancing people’s well-being, as well as the key developments and pressing challenges related to consolidating and expanding the achievements of poverty alleviation, narrowing the development and income disparities between urban and rural areas and among regions.

　　8. The issues that concern the people most directly and tangibly—particularly employment, education, healthcare, childcare, elderly care, and housing—are matters of urgent public concern and pressing need.

　　9. Gaps and shortcomings in firmly establishing and putting into practice the philosophy that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets,” as well as the main circumstances and key issues in advancing the building of a Beautiful China, protecting the ecological environment, and safeguarding ecological security.

　　10. Major issues in maintaining social stability, shortcomings in disaster prevention, mitigation, relief, and the response to major sudden public emergencies, as well as the main developments and key challenges in addressing internal contradictions among the people under the new circumstances and strengthening comprehensive measures for public security.

　　11. Major issues in the comprehensive and rigorous governance of the Party include the weakening, hollowing out, and erosion of Party leadership; insufficient political and organizational functions within Party organizations; a lack of vigor and initiative in pursuing reform and development; failure to assume responsibility or take action; inadequate capacity to respond to “black swan” and “gray rhino” events and to prevent and defuse risks; as well as persistent problems such as formalism, bureaucratism, and the mindset and practices of privilege.

　　12. Long-standing, intractable problems that have remained unresolved for an extended period within this region, department, or unit.

　　IV. Methodology and Steps

　　Conducting extensive investigations and research throughout the Party is divided into six steps.

　　(1) Enhance awareness. Party committees (leading Party groups) at all levels should, through study sessions of the theoretical study center group and reading workshops, organize Party members and cadres to thoroughly study and grasp General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on investigation and research, as well as his significant speeches and the spirit of his important instructions and directives pertaining to their respective regions, departments, and fields. They should inherit and carry forward the fine tradition of earlier generations of revolutionaries in conducting in-depth investigations at the grassroots level, thereby strengthening their ideological, political, and practical consciousness in performing investigation and research effectively.

　　(2) Formulate a plan. Party committees (leading Party groups) at all levels shall, with regard to the research topics and in light of the specific conditions of their respective regions, departments, and units, solicit opinions widely from all sectors, develop detailed plans for investigation and research, clearly define the research projects and topics, the methods and approaches to be employed, and the relevant work requirements, and make coordinated arrangements to rationally determine the timing, locations, and personnel involved in the fieldwork. The principal officials of the Party committees (leading Party groups) shall personally oversee the formulation of these plans.

　　(3) Conduct research and investigations. Members of leading teams at the county level and above shall each take the lead on one research topic, while also carrying out targeted studies on the most pressing challenges in their respective fields or areas of work. It is essential to tailor approaches to local conditions and employ a combination of methods, including symposiums, interviews, random field visits, questionnaires, expert surveys, sample surveys, and statistical analysis. Furthermore, leverage modern information technologies such as the internet and big data to enhance the scientific rigor and practical effectiveness of these efforts. Go deep into grassroots units—rural areas, communities, enterprises, hospitals, schools, new‑economy organizations, and new social organizations—to gain a thorough understanding of the actual situation, identify key issues, and seek advice from the people and from real‑world practice. Shift perspectives and engage directly with the public to learn about their concerns, anxieties, and pressing problems, thereby uncovering gaps and shortcomings in our work. Drawing on typical cases, analyze problems, dissect their root causes, and implement corrective measures that address similar issues across the board. Strengthen oversight and follow‑up investigations to ensure that tasks are genuinely implemented and that identified problems are effectively resolved.

　　(4) Deepen research. Conduct a comprehensive review and synthesis of the findings from the field investigations, applying the worldview, methodology, and underlying principles—along with the stance, viewpoints, and approaches—of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to carry out in-depth analysis, robust argumentation, and evidence-based decision-making. In particular, for issues that are both widespread and systemic, as well as deep‑seated, critical challenges related to reform, development, and stability, and for longstanding difficult cases and persistent, entrenched problems, it is essential to conduct thorough research, identify the root causes and core bottlenecks. On this basis, the leading team shall exchange views on the investigation results, deliberate on corresponding strategies and measures, and formulate concrete ideas, methods, and policy initiatives to resolve these issues and advance work, ensuring that each problem is addressed with practical, effective solutions.

　　(5) Addressing Issues. For the problems identified and reported during the research, systematically compile them into lists of issues, responsibilities, and tasks, specifying corresponding measures, responsible units, accountable individuals, and deadlines for completion. For those that can be resolved in the short term, implement immediate corrective actions and act without delay. For issues that are difficult to resolve at once and require sustained efforts, set clear objectives, maintain rigorous oversight, and see matters through to the end—never relenting until the problem is fully addressed or until a thorough resolution is achieved.

　　(6) Follow-up and Oversight. Party committees (leading Party groups) at all levels shall establish a checklist for the application and implementation of research findings, and strengthen oversight, supervision, and performance tracking of the completion of research topics and the resolution of identified issues. Leading cadres shall conduct regular follow-up visits with those who were the subjects of their investigations and with stakeholders involved in addressing specific problems, paying close attention to identifying and resolving emerging issues.

　　V. Work Requirements

　　(1) Strengthen organizational leadership. Party committees (leading Party groups) at all levels must attach great importance to investigation and research, make specific arrangements, and ensure that every stage—planning, implementation, oversight, and evaluation—is carried out in a scientific and precise manner. The principal person in charge of the Party committee (leading Party group) shall assume overall responsibility for advancing and implementing investigation and research within their respective regions, departments, and units; other members of the leading body shall each assume their respective responsibilities, ensuring that investigation and research in their areas of oversight and in the units under their purview are effectively conducted. Leading cadres should take the lead in conducting investigations and research, improve research methodologies, set an example by leading from the top, and demonstrate best practices.

　　(II) Uphold strict work discipline. Investigations and research must strictly adhere to the spirit of the CPC Central Committee’s Eight‑Point Decision on Improving Party and Government Conduct and its detailed implementation rules; travel should be streamlined, frugality rigorously observed, and layered escorts avoided. The “four noes and two direct” approach should be adopted, with more field visits conducted in areas and units facing severe difficulties, where public concerns are concentrated, or where progress has stalled, so as to prevent surveys that show favoritism toward the affluent while neglecting the poor. Coordination of research efforts must be strengthened to avoid overlapping, multipronged, and redundant investigations, thereby sparing grassroots levels unnecessary burdens. We must resolutely guard against formalism and bureaucratism, refraining from superficial, piecemeal, or perfunctory surveys that fail to delve deeply into issues. On the basis of thorough investigation, we should deepen analysis, preventing situations where there is ample data but scant research, or abundant information but insufficient analysis, resulting in policy recommendations that do not address real‑world problems. Any violations of requirements for improving conduct and regulations on integrity and self‑discipline shall be subject to serious accountability in accordance with relevant rules and disciplines.

　　(3) Uphold coordinated advancement. For issues that manifest at the grassroots level but originate at higher levels, and for those that cut across multiple regions or departments, we will promote their resolution through concerted efforts and a holistic approach, both top-down and bottom-up. We will balance immediate needs with long-term goals, identify and distill effective practices and successful experiences from our investigations and studies, and refine the mechanisms for sustaining such work over the long term. In this way, conducting investigations and studies will become an ongoing duty for Party members and cadres, fostering a widespread culture throughout the Party and yielding tangible results.

　　4. Strengthen publicity efforts. Make full use of Party newspapers, journals, television stations, radio stations, and online platforms, employing a wide range of promotional formats and methods to vigorously highlight the significance of conducting in-depth investigations and studies, as well as the specific measures and tangible results achieved by various regions, departments, and units. This will help build consensus and rally collective strength around this endeavor, fostering a robust and supportive atmosphere.

Source: Xinhua Net