“How [can we] maintain the trail blazing spirit among officials? After decades of peaceful rule, many party members and cadres have not experienced the test of life and death, lacking the tempering of brutal struggles and harsh environments,” Xi said.

“They love to seek comfort and enjoyment, rest on their laurels and become complacent. They will panic and lose their confidence easily amid the great struggle with many new historical characteristics.”

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Xi called on party members to maintain the spirit to “work hard and work well”, have the courage and ability to carry on the party’s struggle well, and make every effort to overcome difficulties and challenges.

Some local governments named and shamed grass-roots officials in a bid to resolve the problem.

Many Chinese bureaucrats – the arms and legs that execute the leadership’s policy decisions – are facing pay cuts, heavy workloads, seemingly never-ending inspections, and numerous political studies, on top of maintaining social stability.

Low morale and the prospect of being held accountable if they take bold action and fail to achieve the expected result have prompted some officials to quietly enter an inaction mode.

Beijing has been increasingly relying on the CCDI’s disciplinary power to exert pressure on the bureaucracy to march according to Xi’s instructions to achieve his ambitious policy goals amid external and internal challenges.

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In his speech, Xi reminded his top disciplinary inspectors to be mindful of encouraging enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity among party members and officials, while continuing a strict approach.

The purpose of strict disciplinary control over the party “is not to control people until they can’t do anything, making officials hesitant and fearful to act, and turn the government into a gloomy pool of stagnant water”, Xi said.