"It Takes a Good Blacksmith to Forge Good Tools"
This expression was used by Xi Jinping on November 15, 2012, while he was being interviewed by domestic and international journalists covering the 18th CPC National Congress. As the governing party, the CPC must lead the people in building a better country and enable the people to live better lives.
To take on this mission, the Party must strengthen itself, maintain its own advanced and incorruptible nature, maintain its flesh-and-blood ties with the people, constantly elevate its leadership and administrative standards, constantly improve its ability to resist corruption and risks, and constantly strengthen its ability to administer scientifically, democratically and in accordance with the law, so as to serve the people better.
Unless it comprehensively exercises strict self-governance, the Party cannot be the "good blacksmith" who "forges good tools," and it will be unable to play its core leadership role. The "blacksmith" refers to the CPC, and the quality required comes from the firmly held ideals and beliefs of Party members. "It takes a good blacksmith to forge good tools" is a solemn commitment made by the Party to the people.
“打铁还需自身硬”
“2012年11月15日，习近平在人民大会堂同采访十八大的中外记者见面时，提到了这句话。中国共产党在中国执政，就是要带领人民把国家建设得更好，让人民生活得更好。要肩负起这个使命，中国共产党就必须加强自身建设，保持自身的先进性和纯洁性，保持同人民群众的血肉联系，不断提高领导水平和执政水平，不断提高拒腐防变和抵御风险能力，不断提高科学执政、民主执政、依法执政水平，更好为人民服务。不全面从严治党，党就做不到“打铁还需自身硬”，也就难以发挥好领导核心作用。打铁还需自身硬，这里说的打铁的人，就是中国共产党。打铁还需自身硬，硬就硬在中国共产党人有着坚定的理想信念。“打铁还需自身硬”，这是中国共产党人对人民作出的庄严承诺。