Understanding the Correct View of Political Achievements in Chinese Higher Education

The correct view of political achievements, or zhengque zhengji guan in Chinese, refers to a leadership philosophy emphasized by President Xi Jinping that prioritizes sustainable, people-centered development over short-term, flashy projects. It calls for cadres to focus on real benefits for the masses, adhere to objective laws, and reject formalism and bureaucracy. In the context of higher education, this means university leaders avoiding pursuits like unnecessary campus expansions or inflated research metrics that prioritize appearance over substance.

This principle has long been a cornerstone of Xi's governance thought. For instance, he has advocated "three坚持 and three反对"—persisting in high-quality development while opposing grandiose schemes, delivering real results instead of superficial displays, and grounding decisions in grassroots realities rather than top-down directives. Chinese universities, as key Party organizations, are now tasked with embedding this mindset into their operations to foster genuine innovation and talent cultivation.

The CPC Central Committee's Recent Notice

On February 23, 2026, the General Office of the CPC Central Committee issued a notice titled "Notice on Conducting Party-Wide Study and Education on Establishing and Practicing the Correct View of Political Achievements." Approved by the Party Central Committee, this campaign targets county-level and above leadership teams and cadres, particularly "top leaders" or yiba shou.

The notice outlines a streamlined approach: no phased rollout or batches, emphasizing integration into daily work. Key activities include studying Xi Jinping's discourses, the CPC's suggestions for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), the Party Constitution, and regulations on cadre selection. Universities must organize learning seminars, self-inspections for issues like formalism, rectification measures, institutional reforms, and public feedback mechanisms to ensure transparency.

Strategic Timing Ahead of the 15th Five-Year Plan

This initiative arrives as China prepares its 15th Five-Year Plan, underscoring the need for cadres to align personal achievements with national goals like high-quality development and education modernization. In higher education, it addresses past pitfalls where university presidents chased rankings through dubious means or built lavish facilities disconnected from student needs.

By fostering a correct政绩观, universities can better contribute to objectives such as building world-class institutions and boosting innovation. For example, the plan emphasizes equitable resource allocation, urging leaders to prioritize research impact over quantity—a shift vital for institutions like Tsinghua and Peking University aiming for global leadership.

Initial Responses from Leading Chinese Universities

Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) swiftly publicized the notice on its news portal, signaling commitment to immediate implementation across its Party committees. Other top institutions, including those in the "Double First-Class" initiative, are expected to follow suit. In Hunan Province, a recent education conference highlighted integrating this study into Party building for education-strong province goals.

Suzhou's 2026 education work plan explicitly incorporates the campaign, leveraging alliances like the Suzhou Universities Marxist College to blend classroom and practical learning. These responses demonstrate higher education's proactive stance in aligning with central directives.

Implementation Framework for University Cadres

University Party secretaries and presidents, as primary targets, will lead by example through self-criticism sessions. Step-by-step processes include:

• Original text study of Xi's works and plan documents.
• Problem identification: Reviewing past decisions for formalism signs, like excessive meetings or data manipulation.
• Rectification: Concrete actions, such as streamlining administrative approvals that burden faculty.
• Institution building: New rules for performance evaluations emphasizing student outcomes and research quality.
• Open education: Soliciting feedback from students, faculty, and alumni via surveys and town halls.

This framework ensures the campaign is practical, avoiding the very formalism it combats.

Addressing Formalism and Bureaucracy in Chinese Universities

Chinese higher education has faced criticism for bureaucratic excesses, such as "office-like" administration where stamps and approvals create hurdles for students and faculty. Examples include overemphasis on publication quotas leading to plagiarism scandals or vanity projects like oversized libraries underutilized post-construction.

The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection has flagged issues like factionalism and image engineering. This campaign aims to rectify these by promoting real政绩, such as improving graduate employability—currently a pain point with youth unemployment hovering around 15% in recent years.

Stakeholders welcome this, as it could reduce administrative bloat, allowing more resources for teaching and research.

Case Studies: Lessons from Past University Reforms

Take Peking University's past efforts against bureaucracy: Initiatives to simplify procedures cut approval times by 50%, exemplifying correct政绩观 in action. Similarly, Fudan University tackled formalism by linking leader evaluations to faculty satisfaction surveys.

In contrast, negative cases like certain regional universities building "ghost campuses" highlight risks. Statistics from the Ministry of Education show over 20% of higher ed infrastructure remains underused due to mismatched planning—a direct target for rectification.

Impacts on University Governance and Leadership

This study will reshape cadre selection, favoring those delivering tangible outcomes like increased patents with real-world application or enhanced international collaborations. For the 4,000+ universities in China, it promises leaner governance, with Party committees focusing on core missions: ideological education, scientific innovation, and talent development.

Expert opinions, such as those from Qiushi journal, stress that correct政绩观 prevents deviation, ensuring leaders serve education's long-term goals.

Benefits for Students, Faculty, and National Development

• Students: Fewer bureaucratic hurdles, more practical curricula aligned with job markets.
• Faculty: Reduced administrative burdens, freeing time for research—China's R&D spending in higher ed hit RMB 200 billion in 2025.
• National: Universities better positioned to drive the 15th FYP's innovation targets, like AI and green tech leadership.

Actionable insights include regular audits of projects against people-centered criteria.

Future Outlook: Aligning with Education Modernization

Looking ahead, this campaign will integrate with the Education Powerhouse Construction Plan (2024-2035), promoting balanced development across regions. Universities like those in the Belt and Road Initiative will exemplify global contributions without ostentation.

Challenges remain, such as measuring "soft" achievements like moral education, but solutions lie in multi-stakeholder evaluations. For professionals eyeing roles in this dynamic sector, platforms like higher ed jobs and university jobs offer pathways.

Photo by Trần Văn Sơn on Unsplash

Conclusion: A Commitment to Real Achievements

The Party-wide correct view of political achievements study marks a pivotal moment for Chinese higher education, steering it toward authenticity and excellence. By rejecting formalism, universities can truly fulfill their role in national rejuvenation. Explore opportunities via Rate My Professor, higher ed jobs, higher ed career advice, and university jobs. Stay informed and position yourself for success in China's evolving academic landscape.