ChenYun's maxims of Party Building

The conduct as the Party in power is a life or death issue for the Party.

THE CONDUCT OF THE PARTY IN POWER IS A LIFE OR DEATH ISSUE (November 1980 to October 1984), p. 273, Vol. III, Selected Works of Chen Yun

If Party conduct is not good, the reform cannot be carried out smoothly.

THE CONDUCT OF THE PARTY IN POWER IS A LIFE OR DEATH ISSUE (November 1980 to October 1984), p. 275, Vol. III, Selected Works of Chen Yun

If we want to rectify the Party work style, it is crucial to enhance the quality of Party members and particularly of high-and middle-ranking cadres.

WRITTEN SPEECH FOR THE NINTH PLENARY SESSION OF THE CPC CENTRAL COMMISSION FOR DISCIPLINE INSPECTION (October 19. 1987), p. 363, Vol. III, Selected Works of Chen Yun

Once in power, a Party is liable to demand things from the masses and to forget to give them anything in return.

MASS WORK IN THE SHAANXI-GANSU-NINGXIA BORDER REGION (December 10. 1939), p. 173, Vol. I, Selected Works of Chen Yun

We should not just ask the masses for things. Even more important, we should always work for the people’s welfare.

MASS WORK IN THE SHAANXI-GANSU-NINGXIA BORDER REGION (December 10. 1939), p. 173, Vol. I, Selected Works of Chen Yun

When we say we must serve the people, we mean we must solve their practical problems; otherwise it’s all just empty talk.

MAIN FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC TASKS FOR 1951 (April 4. 1951), p. 128, Vol. II, Selected Works of Chen Yun

Under no circumstances should children of cadres take on an affectation as children of revolutionary heroes.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD CHILDREN OF CADRES TAKE ON AN AFFECTATION AS CHILDREN OF REVOLUTIONARY HEROES(June 19. 1949), p. 395, Vol. I, Selected Works of Chen Yun

We can unite only if there is communication, and without democracy there can be no centralism.

HOW WE CAN GAIN A MORE CORRECT UNDERSTANDING (February 8. 1962), p. 187, Vol. III, Selected Works of Chen Yun

Centralism cannot be achieved if we emphasize it to the neglect of democracy. When opinions are exchanged frequently, a consensus can easily be reached.

IMPROVING INNER-PARTY ACTIVITIES (April 22, 1947), p. 347, Vol. I, Selected Works of Chen Yun

We do not fear that people might express incorrect views, but that people won’t express any opinions at all. It does not matter if somebody expresses erroneous ideas; what is dangerous is if nobody speaks up at Party meetings at all.

THE CONDUCT OF THE PARTY IN POWER IS A LIFE OR DEATH ISSUE (November 1980 to October 1984), p. 275, Vol. III, Selected Works of Chen Yun

Without the authority of the Party Central Committee, we will not be able to accomplish anything or maintain social stability.

WE MUST SAFEGUARD AND STRENGTHEN THE AUTHORITY OF THE PARTY CENTRAL COMMITTEE (February 9. 1994), p. 380, Vol. III, Selected Works of Chen Yun

The Chinese revolution is a long and difficult undertaking. It will not succeed without unity of will and action, indomitable fortitude and iron discipline on the part of all members of the Communist Party.

Why Was Liu Ligong Expelled From The Party? (May 23. 1939), p. 127, Vol. I, Selected Works of Chen Yun

Discipline is our major weapon. To maintain unity the Party depends not on armed force but on discipline.

ON PARTY DISCIPLINE (March 19. 1940), p. 196, Vol. I, Selected Works of Chen Yun

Discipline is a thing of deeds. It’s easy to pay lip-service to discipline but hard to abide by it.

WHY WAS LIU LIGONG EXPELLED FROM THE PARTY? (May 23. 1939), pp. 125-128, Vol. I, Selected Works of Chen Yun

Genuine swimmers feel free in the water and true revolutionaries feel free in disciplined revolutionary movements.  

ON TWO TENDENCIES AMONG THE PARTY'S LITERARY AND ART WORKERS (March 10. 1943), p. 276, Vol. I, Selected Works of Chen Yun