Removing the Incompetent and Dismissing the Inferior: 81 Officials in Lanzhou New Area Have Been Removed, Transferred, Relocated for Exchange, or Dismissed Since Last Year

On November 22, the Party Working Committee Office of Lanzhou New Area issued a document introducing the reform of the cadre and personnel system in Lanzhou New Area, emphasizing the “ability to both advance and demote” cadres.
The article reveals that Lanzhou New Area adheres to the principle of selecting and appointing cadres based on their practical performance and promotes precise allocation of cadre resources. It encourages responsibility and initiative through promotions and alerts and motivates improvement through demotions. The area focuses on “forming teams around development and selecting cadres with an eye on development,” giving priority to including, considering, and utilizing cadres who dare to face challenges, overcome difficulties, and work diligently in challenging positions, akin to “diligent oxen.”
Since 2023, Lanzhou New Area has identified 168 outstanding cadres, promoted 133 cadres with top performance evaluations, and rewarded 587 cadres with excellent annual evaluations. Breaking identity barriers, 37 outstanding cadres from state-owned enterprises were selected to work in governmental departments. The implementation of “demotions” has been effective. The monthly performance rankings of each cadre are precisely monitored, with performance serving as the “yardstick” for evaluations. Rigorous “performance deductions” are imposed on those who fail to effectively push forward work or achieve poor results. “Salary deductions” are applied to those who violate disciplines or have an unsubstantial work style and receive party or administrative sanctions. Flexible “reminders and warnings” are given to teams with weak cohesion or low evaluation indicators, placing them under “probation,” while those unsuited for their positions or in poor working states are subject to “transitional placement.” Rigid “immediate exits” are enforced for those whose physical condition or poor work performance significantly impacts their duties, with “position adjustments” or “dismissals” for those who commit serious violations or fail to perform their duties.
Additionally, since 2023, Lanzhou New Area has uncovered 19 cases of violations of law and discipline by public officials. Sixty-two individuals who received sanctions had their monthly performance-based salaries reduced during the impact period. Six individuals were disqualified from advanced evaluations or selections, one had their probationary period extended, four received reminders or inquiries, and 26 were subject to admonishments or organizational actions. Eighty-one cadres were adjusted through measures such as removal from position, transfer to different ranks, position adjustments, downward mobility for exchanges, dismissals, or retirement.
The Party Working Committee Office of Lanzhou New Area also introduced that the area is committed to doing a good job in the “second half of the article,” allowing demoted cadres to improve and “ascend” again. Based on their past work experience and areas of expertise, they are strategically assigned to frontline work such as rural revitalization and grassroots governance, fully leveraging their “rich experience and broad knowledge.” The office keeps track of cadres’ thoughts and work dynamics, and through education, training, and practical experience, it effectively helps cadres alleviate psychological pressure, rejuvenate their morale, and enhance their abilities to perform their duties, ensuring that those who have fallen behind can catch up and keep pace. A distinction is made between intentional and unintentional mistakes, personal and public interests, violations, and trial errors. Different performance deduction standards are applied to cadres punished for unintentional work mistakes and personal subjective reasons. Cadres who can correct their mistakes and demonstrate outstanding performance are given important responsibilities after rigorous evaluations and assessments, encouraging those with a correct performance outlook and solid work achievements to unload their burdens and work lightly. Since 2019, 30 leaders who have received false accusations have been cleared of their names, restoring their reputation and supporting those who take responsibility.
On August 20, 2012, Lanzhou New Area was approved by the State Council as the fifth national new area in China and the first in the northwest, entrusted with the strategic mission of being “an important economic growth pole in the northwest, a significant national industrial base, an important strategic platform for opening up to the west, and a demonstration zone for undertaking industrial transfer.” The planning scope of Lanzhou New Area covers six towns in Yongdeng County and Gaolan County, Lanzhou City, with a total area of 1,744 square kilometers. Currently, it administers four towns with an area of 1,165 square kilometers and a population of 710,000.
According to a report by the “Lanzhou New Area News” in January 2019, Lanzhou New Area formulated and issued the “Implementation Plan for Deepening the Reform of the Cadre and Personnel System in Lanzhou New Area.” The plan proposes strict accountability and emphasizes the principle of replacing those who do not change their mindset, holding those who are not responsible accountable, removing those who do not take on responsibilities, and dismissing those who are inactive. It establishes a clear orientation of promoting the competent, demoting the mediocre, and eliminating the inferior. Cadres who do not take on responsibilities or are inactive are subject to removal, adjustment, or demotion based on specific circumstances. The cadre team is vigorously rectified, and cadres in governmental departments with low education levels, poor abilities, and unsuitability for their current positions are systematically transferred to townships, communities, and state-owned enterprises in batches. This ensures that politically firm and enterprising cadres are rewarded and encouraged, while those who are slow to act, inactive, or act capriciously are alerted and punished.
A report from the Gansu Organization Work Network in 2022 shows that since 2019, Lanzhou New Area has commended 22 advanced collectives and 106 outstanding cadres with top performance evaluations, promoted 391 cadres, and increased the salaries of 60 cadres whose monthly performance evaluations ranked in the top third of their peer group for six consecutive months or more. At the same time, 13 staff members who committed serious violations, were unsuitable for their positions, or had poor performance evaluations were dismissed. Two hundred and thirty-one cadres who were not responsible, inactive, or ranked low in performance evaluations were adjusted to different positions, and 41 cadres whose annual evaluations were basically satisfactory (qualified) had their annual performance bonuses and various rewards canceled. Through a reward and punishment incentive and restraint mechanism, the initiative of cadres to start businesses and undertake tasks is effectively stimulated.