(Source: China News Network 2026-03-06)

“Leading cadres must not only have broad shoulders to take on responsibilities, but also have the real ability to accomplish things.”

The recently published "Qiushi" magazine published an important article by Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the State, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission. In the article, Xi Jinping put forward the following requirements for leading cadres.

Why are leading cadres required to have both "broad shoulders" and "real skills"? Related topics aroused heated discussions during the National Two Sessions.

Many representatives said that this important discussion not only requires leading cadres to establish a correct view of political performance and solve the problem of "bravely taking on responsibilities"; it also requires them to improve their ability to perform their duties and solve the problem of "being able to take on responsibilities".

"Broad shoulders" means that leading cadres must dare to take responsibility.

Serving as an official for one term will bring benefits to one party. "Cadres must be responsible. Only with how much responsibility can they accomplish great things, and how much responsibility can they achieve." Xi Jinping emphasized on many occasions that leading cadres must dare to act and take on responsibilities, and "stay in their positions, plan their policies, and fulfill their responsibilities."

“True ability” means that leading cadres must be good at taking on their responsibilities and have the ability to do things well and get things done.

During the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, China's development environment is facing profound and complex changes, strategic opportunities and risks and challenges coexist, and uncertain and unpredictable factors are increasing. Facing major challenges, it is urgent to enhance the ability of leading cadres to prevent and resolve risks

On the afternoon of March 5, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the State, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the deliberations of the Jiangsu delegation at the Fourth Session of the 14th National People’s Congress. Photo by China News Service reporter Sheng Jiapeng

On the 5th, Xi Jinping discussed the concept of political performance again when he participated in the review of the Jiangsu delegation at the Fourth Session of the 14th National People’s Congress. He emphasized that we should guide party members and cadres to implement the general requirements of "building the party for the public, benefiting the people, making scientific decisions, and working hard" and create achievements that can stand the test of practice, the people, and history.

Shi Huifang, deputy to the National People's Congress and secretary of the Shaoxing Municipal Party Committee, said that correctly understanding the dialectical and unified relationship between "broad shoulders" and "true skills" and firmly establishing and practicing a correct view of political performance will help to better forge ahead, perform duties for the people, and assume responsibilities.

In recent years, the awareness of responsibilities among leading cadres has increased significantly, but there are still "lay-down" cadres who only want to be officials but do not want to do things, and only want to take power but not take responsibility. There are also some cadres who are "fearful about their abilities" and have shortcomings in their abilities.

“Not taking responsibility or acting will not only fail to accomplish anything, but will also be doomed to bad things and delay major events.” Xi Jinping has repeatedly pointed out the specific manifestations of the deviation of leading cadres’ views on political performance. He also stated that “a responsibility system must be implemented and life-long accountability must be implemented for issues such as making decisions on the head, acting recklessly, and leaving after being slapped on the butt.”

Currently, a study and education focusing on establishing and practicing a correct view of political performance is being carried out throughout the party. The government work report submitted to the National People's Congress for deliberation on the 5th stated that governments at all levels and their staff must "firmly establish and practice a correct view of political performance."

Some commentators believe that in the critical year, the development concept should be calibrated with the correct performance concept of "achieving political achievements for the people and achieving political achievements through hard work", aiming to ensure that development bears fruit and has a stable start.

In the view of Li Bingjun, deputy to the National People's Congress and governor of Guizhou Province, a good view of political performance is to "carry the people in your heart, always do things for the people, and don't always think about yourself."

“It is necessary to further form an effective mechanism to encourage cadres to be truthful and pragmatic and take on their responsibilities.” Chen Li, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and former director of the academic and editorial committee of the Institute of Party History and Documentation of the CPC Central Committee, said that it is necessary to encourage hard workers to take responsibility, and at the same time, political discipline must be strictly enforced, and those who distort their views on political performance and cause serious consequences must be severely punished.

The representative committee members said that the organic combination of "broad shoulders" and "real skills" will make the willingness to take responsibility, the courage to take responsibility, and the good sense of responsibility become common practice. This is also the proper start to a good start and the successful completion of various goals and tasks during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period.

“In the past, our village was like ‘cows can’t get out’ when they come in, but now it’s like ‘people don’t want to leave when they come’.” Ju Huaguo, a deputy to the National People’s Congress from Kunniushan Village in Guizhou, talked about the gratifying changes in the local area. He hopes that more leading cadres will shoulder expectations with "broad shoulders" and drive development with "true skills." (End)

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