China's Communist Party tightens grip on private firms, joint ventures
New rule, which also affects joint ventures and other organisations, imposes stricter control over party groups within those institutions
The Communist Party has moved to strengthen its grip on private enterprises, joint ventures and other non-party groups with a new rule governing the conduct of its members within such institutions.
The Regulation on Leading Party Members' Groups, published by the state-run Xinhua yesterday, covers organisations of influential party members, which are formed within other more general groups to help implement party policy.
"The leading party members' groups in state organs, organisations and non-party units are important channels to guarantee the implementation of the line and policies of the party, and the system must be strengthened and improved," stated the regulation, which comprises eight charters and 39 clauses.
According to the party constitution, such groups can be set up in state organs, social organisations and institutions, or other non-party organs.
The new rule covers organisations across a broad spectrum.
These include the National People's Congress, various levels of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the ruling party's advisory bodies, the central ministries under the State Council, the courts, state-owned enterprises, and even social organisations such as writers' and artists' associations.
According to Xinhua, the regulation offers new guidelines addressing how to set up such groups, their supervision and decision-making procedures, as well as how to deal with liabilities and errors.