Chinese Communist Party?s new resolution aims to control dissent, freedom of expression

In yet another move to stop anyone from dissenting against the government, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) introduced new laws that banned its cadres from expressing opinions and dissenting views, reported the South China Morning Post (SCMP). An article written by Jun Mai stated that the revised rule book said that cadres can make complaints about their superiors, but were forbidden from airing their opinion public and were also banned from expressing opinions that are not consistent with the decisions of the central leadership.

Xi Jinping’s ‘Thought on Socialism with Chinese characteristics for a New Era’ has been officially incorporated by the new rules, reported SCMP. These new rules were issues just six months before the centenary of the CCP in July and mark an attempt to inject new life into the party rule book which was last updated 16 years ago.

“A member of the party must not publically express opinions that are inconsistent with decisions made by the Central leadership,” said Article 16 of the revised regulations on safeguarding the rights of party members reported SCMP. Article 11 of the new rules states that while party members are entitled to report misconduct by other members, including those who hold a higher rank, they must not disseminate such information at will and must not do so on the internet, reported SCMP.

The amended regulations were published on the first working days after the new year break of 2021.