Global Times: Readers' Reflections: Outside observers underestimate the profound connection between the Party and people, says Somali Ambassador to China
PR Newswire
BEIJING, March 30, 2025
BEIJING, March 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Editor's Note:
The book of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China includes a number of Chinese President Xi Jinping's governance ideas that involve improving Party conduct, such as "the issue of working style is in no sense a small one." Xi stressed that "if the Party has a sound style of work, then the people are at peace and willing to stand with the Party in both success and adversity." In March, the Communist Party of China (CPC) launched a Party-wide education campaign to implement its central leadership's Eight-Rules decision on improving work conduct, immediately after the conclusion of the annual two sessions. The move underscores that the Eight Rules have not only become a "golden hallmark" of the CPC's efforts to improve Party conduct in the new era, but also a mobilization order for Party members to uphold credibility with concrete actions, stay clean and dedicated in their work, and create new achievements.
In the second installment of the "Decoding the Book of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" series, the Global Times (GT) continues to invite Chinese and international scholars, translators of the work, practitioners of its concepts, and overseas readers to share their insights, understandings and reflections on CPC's efforts to improve Party conduct and promote full, rigorous Party self-governance.
In the second article of "Readers' Reflections" column, GT reporter Chen Qingqing talked to Hodan Osman Abdi, the Somali Ambassador to China, who previously worked in Zhejiang and conducted extensive grassroots research across various regions in China.
Why has the Party been able to thrive in China, and how has it maintained such strong cohesion among the Chinese people?
From the outside, it's easy to focus on the size of the Communist Party of China (CPC), or its centralized structure, or its long time in power. But none of those things alone explains its success or its deep-rooted cohesion with the Chinese people.
In March 2019, together with my colleagues from the Institute of African Studies of Zhejiang Normal University, I visited Ta Shi Xiang, a small town under the administration of Jinhua in Zhejiang Province. What impressed me the most was the community service center, which bore the now well-known motto "At most, one trip." This was part of a province-wide administrative reform launched by the Zhejiang government to simplify bureaucratic procedures and ensure that citizens only needed to visit government offices once to complete a task - whether it be renewing a license, registering land, or accessing social services.
The center was bright, well-organized, and staffed with attentive civil servants who proudly explained how the system works. To me, this wasn't just a slogan - it was a symbol of responsiveness and respect for people's time and dignity. It reflected an institutional culture that puts the needs of ordinary citizens first, by reducing red tape and improving efficiency. In many developing countries, such convenience and accountability in public services are still aspirational. Here, it was already operational in a remote rural town.
"Before the 18th CPC National Congress, a culture of excessive eating and drinking prevailed among some officials, sparking significant criticism from the public. Despite numerous regulations, the problem persisted, leading to a loss of confidence among many people. After the 18th CPC National Congress, we made a firm commitment to address this issue. Now, it has been brought under control, and the people are applauding. By restraining the behaviors of some officials, we have won the hearts of countless people."
These words from President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, showed that the CPC, through its relentless efforts in advancing internal Party conduct reforms, has also redefined the relationship between the CPC and the public. It has built credibility and cohesion, not through force or fear, but through predictability and performance. The Party remains connected to the needs and aspirations of ordinary people. Whether it's poverty alleviation, rural development, or digital government services, the CPC has shown a capacity to translate policy into tangible benefits for citizens.
During my time in Zhejiang, I saw people who felt that the government was not far away or abstract—it was in their daily lives, helping to solve problems, provide services, and maintain order. That creates a very real sense of cohesion - not built on ideology alone, but on delivery and consistency.
The CPC upholding the principle of "improving Party conduct as an ongoing task" tells us that governance is not about perfect processes or well written documents - it is about action. It is about the courage to correct course, the discipline to stay grounded, and the humility to admit that no structure, however powerful, is immune to complacency unless it is constantly renewed, which is precisely what our leadership and government institutions are focused on in Somalia, and serious progresses have been made in that regard. The CPC's approach to Party governance - meeting the aspirations of ordinary people - is a powerful lesson for all nations seeking to build sustainable governance rooted in public trust.
I think many observers outside of China underestimate the emotional and practical contract between the Party and the people. It's not just about governance - it's about trust, continuity, and the belief that the future will be better, and that leadership is committed to making it so. That, I believe, is the core of the CPC's success - and it offers a lesson that is relevant far beyond China.
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