In the context of Chinese-style modernization, prioritizing people’s livelihoods is essential. Meeting the needs of the public and delivering tangible benefits to them is a fundamental requirement for Party members and officials to uphold the Party’s mission. However, in practice, some initiatives undertaken by various localities and departments are not being embraced by the community. President Xi Jinping has pointed out that “what constitutes good deeds must be evaluated from the perspective of the people’s actual needs; it cannot be based on subjective assumptions or simplified thinking.” Assessing good deeds through the lens of the people’s real needs is the foundation for implementing both good and practical initiatives effectively.
So, what does it mean to do good deeds for the people? Some Party officials equate it to merely providing financial support or securing funding for projects. This perspective is not comprehensive and risks oversimplification. Ensuring good deeds for the people involves a multifaceted approach. President Xi emphasizes the necessity of clearly defining good deeds: “Supporting economic development and aiding the community in increasing their wealth are considered good deeds; promoting social integrity, combating those who harm the community, enriching people’s leisure activities, and cultivating a positive social environment are also good deeds; addressing the basic necessities of life for the populace, including food, housing, and healthcare needs, constitutes good deeds; even small matters such as ensuring that people in remote areas have access to light bulbs and soap are worthy of our attention and concern.” This insight urges us to broaden our perspective and think more holistically about good deeds. It is imperative to focus not only on the material aspects of life but also on the spiritual and cultural needs of the people. We must consider both the significant issues that are important to the community and the seemingly minor ones that can have a substantial impact. Ultimately, wherever there is a need among the people, there good deeds can be realized and achievements created. The true assessment of our performance should come from the people’s experiences and evaluations.
There is a tendency among some Party officials to overlook “small matters.” In reality, small issues affecting millions of people are crucial. As President Xi has stated, “The major concern of the nation is the happiness of its people,” highlighting that even small matters benefiting the public must be addressed. In 2016, during the 14th meeting of the Central Financial Leadership Group, President Xi discussed advancing clean heating initiatives for northern regions in winter. In his view, these are significant issues that directly impact people’s lives and are vital livelihood projects. Determining the significance of an issue should not solely depend on its form or scale; rather, it should be evaluated through the lens of the needs of the people. Many seemingly trivial issues may, in fact, be closely related to the public’s interests and can be the most pressing matters to address.
President Xi emphasized that “we must engage in actions that not only provide immediate, visible benefits to the public but also lay the groundwork for future generations.” This requires Party officials to strike a balance between addressing current issues and planning for the long term. Urgent problems that evoke strong public feedback must be treated as top priorities, with proactive measures taken to ensure that people feel their issues are being addressed and their needs are met. For matters that cannot be resolved immediately but impact long-term public interests, a clear timeline should be established to effect change persistently and thoughtfully. When striving to do good deeds for the people, both visible efforts and impactful, underlying initiatives are necessary to ensure that we genuinely meet the needs of the community, seeking their goodwill and obtaining a true legacy of evaluation over time.
To truly consider good deeds from the standpoint of people’s needs, extensive and in-depth research is required. Engaging closely with the public—sitting down with them and having heartfelt conversations—helps us understand their expectations and needs. In recent years, various localities have explored effective ways to gather public opinion and insights, utilizing platforms such as community meetings, open forums, and neighborhood discussions to focus on the public’s concerns and encourage their participation. Party officials must prioritize the issues that are of great concern to the community, which are often frequently raised and persistently expressed, and take innovative reform measures to resolve these issues effectively, thereby truly implementing good deeds that resonate with the people.
