Chinese universities are swiftly mobilizing to implement a nationwide Communist Party of China (CPC) campaign focused on establishing and practicing the "correct view of political achievements." This initiative, launched in early 2026, aligns directly with directives from the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee held in October 2025, emphasizing long-term, people-centered governance over short-term gains.

The campaign underscores a shift towards sustainable development, scientific decision-making, and practical results that stand the test of time, practice, and public scrutiny. Prestigious institutions like Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) and China Agricultural University (CAU) have already kicked off activities, setting the tone for higher education's role in national rejuvenation under the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030).

Origins in the 20th CPC Central Committee Fourth Plenary Session

The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, convened from October 20-23, 2025, in Beijing, laid the groundwork by stressing comprehensive reforms to advance Chinese-style modernization. While specifics on political achievements were not isolated, the session's communique highlighted the need for cadres to align with Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, ensuring decisions contribute to high-quality development.

This plenary built on previous gatherings, reinforcing anti-formalism measures and the pursuit of "real achievements" (实绩). President Xi Jinping reiterated these themes in subsequent addresses, including at the provincial-ministerial seminar in January 2026, urging officials to "serve the people, achieve through hard work." The timing coincides with the "15th Five-Year Plan" drafting, aiming to prevent deviations that prioritize image over substance.

Key Elements of the CPC Central Notice

On February 23, 2026, the General Office of the CPC Central Committee issued a pivotal notification, greenlit by the Party Central Committee, to roll out the study education across the Party. Targeting county-level and above leadership teams—especially "number one" leaders—the program runs from post-Spring Festival (early March) to late July 2026, without batches or phases.

The core requirement is encapsulated in four principles:

• 立党为公 (Lìdǎng wéi gōng): Govern the Party for the public good.
• 为民造福 (Wèi mín zàofú): Benefit the people as the greatest achievement.
• 科学决策 (Kēxué juécè): Make decisions based on science and reality.
• 真抓实干 (Zhēnzhuā shí gàn): Focus on solid, practical implementation.

Main tasks integrate learning (Xi's discourses, 15th FYP suggestions), self-examination (root causes from party principles), rectification (link to inspections, anti-corruption), and promotion (institutional reforms, public involvement). Universities must adapt these to foster loyalty, mission adherence, and elite team-building.

Harbin Institute of Technology Leads the Way

Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), a C9 League member and "Double First-Class" powerhouse, deployed the campaign on March 3, 2026, via a Party Construction Leading Group meeting chaired by Party Secretary Chen Jie. President Han Jiecái and Standing Deputy Secretary Sun Xue attended, with over 500 mid-level cadres joining across campuses in Weihai, Shenzhen, and research institutes.

Chen emphasized integrating the drive into school governance, talent cultivation, and world-class aspirations. Key focuses include deep study, gap analysis, genuine rectification, and transforming outcomes into "15th FYP" momentum. "Integrate the correct view into every aspect of Party governance, administration, and education," Chen stated, vowing a "nail-it-down" approach against formalism.HIT's official deployment announcement

HIT's multi-campus rollout exemplifies engineering-focused adaptation, linking to national tech self-reliance.

China Agricultural University's Strategic Rollout

On March 1, 2026, CAU's Party Standing Committee, led by Secretary Zhong Denghua with President Chen Wei present, approved a tailored work plan. Zhong linked the campaign to Xi's replies to CAU alumni, agricultural traditions, and the university's third century goals.

Main tasks: "Remember original intent, practice mission, shoulder responsibility, be vanguard." Implementation stresses classified guidance, avoiding discounts, and converting learning into high-quality development. Water Resources College followed suit on March 3, mobilizing staff. CAU's special webpage aggregates resources, including Xinhua and MOE links, highlighting people-benefiting achievements in agritech.CAU campaign portal

Ripple Effect Across Elite Institutions

The drive is sweeping top universities:

• Tsinghua University (Feb 28): Standing Committee approved implementation plan.
• Xi'an Jiaotong University: Emphasizes plenary alignment for modernization.
• Beijing Institute of Technology: Full launch focusing on "15th FYP."
• Shanghai Jiao Tong University: Ties to strict governance.
• USTC, Wuhan University of Technology, Huazhong Normal University: Similar deployments prioritizing practical reforms.

This uniformity reflects higher education's vanguard role in ideological work, with MOE directing affiliated systems.

For those eyeing academic opportunities in China, these shifts signal stable, mission-driven environments.

Defining the 'Correct View of Political Achievements'

The concept, rooted in Xi's repeated exhortations since the 18th Party Congress, counters "deviations" like short-termism, data falsification, and image engineering. It prioritizes:

1. People's wellbeing as paramount政绩.
2. Long-term foundations over flashy projects.
3. Fact-based, law-abiding governance.
4. Avoidance of formalism/bureaucracy.

In universities, this translates to prioritizing talent cultivation, innovation serving the nation, and sustainable campus development over superficial metrics. Historical context: Xi's stories of inspecting grass-roots work illustrate seeking truth from facts.

Alignment with the 15th Five-Year Plan and Higher Ed Reforms

The campaign dovetails with the "15th FYP" suggestions, urging study of planning documents. Universities must ensure plans reflect correct政绩观, e.g., HIT's tech leapfrogging, CAU's agrifood security contributions. Broader impacts include refined cadre evaluations, echoing 2020 education reforms banning admission quotas.

Stakeholders note enhanced research integrity, international collaboration under Party guidance. For career advice, see crafting academic CVs tailored to such environments.

Implementation Strategies and Safeguards

Methods emphasize integration: theoretical arming via seminars, mass-line investigations, public feedback, and institutional tweaks. Universities classify by discipline—e.g., engineering at HIT stresses innovation潜绩 (latent achievements), agriculture at CAU focuses民生 (people's livelihood).

Safeguards against formalism: No rigid phases, superior oversight, first-responsibility by secretaries. Propaganda via dedicated columns builds momentum.

• 开门教育 (Open-door): Solicit student/faculty input.
• 群众评判 (Public judgment): Measure by tangible benefits.

Implications for University Leadership and Faculty

"Number one" leaders bear primary responsibility, fostering cultures where daring responsibility thrives. Impacts: Stronger Party loyalty, refined performance metrics (e.g., de-emphasize papers for real-world outputs), better talent retention amid global competition.

Faculty, as cadres, engage via branch activities. This bolsters ideological security, vital for faculty positions in China's top unis. Challenges: Balancing with academic freedom, though framed as enabling true innovation.

Photo by runda choo on Unsplash

Broader Perspectives and Future Outlook

Experts view it as anti-corruption extension, vital for 2035 modernization goals. Multi-perspective: State media hails unity; overseas analyses note centralization.

By July 2026 end, expect rectified mechanisms, showcased achievements. Long-term: Sustained cadre quality for higher ed's role in sci-tech self-reliance. Aspiring professionals can explore university jobs, higher ed careers, or professor ratings on AcademicJobs.com.

In conclusion, this campaign positions Chinese universities as exemplars of Party-aligned excellence, promising deeper contributions to national prosperity.