On September 2014, former Nanjing Party chief Yang Weize, who is now under investigation due to serious violations of Party discipline, published an article on the Nanjing Daily website, in which he said that it is difficult to be a good official all one's life. The expression "difficult to be officials" was later criticized by top leader Xi Jinping in his speeches. Xi said the requirements for officials are basic ones that have existed for a long time in the history of the Communist Party of China.

The high-level pressure on officials to abide by Party discipline and State laws during the current anti-corruption drive has led some officials to complain that the requirements for officials are too strict.

Strictly running the Party according to the law and Party regulations has become the country's new normal. Officials should behave themselves and perform their duties properly.