Organization Department of the Central Committee: Authoritative Replies to 37 Questions Regarding the Verification of Cadre Personnel Files
I. Date of Birth
What is the primary policy basis for determining a cadre's date of birth? Answer: The current primary policy basis for determining a cadre's date of birth is the "Notice of the Organization Department of the Central Committee of the CPC, the Ministry of Personnel, and the Ministry of Public Security on Conscientiously Doing a Good Job in the Management of Cadres' Dates of Birth" (Zutongzi [2006] No. 41). Prior to the issuance of this notice, the "Notice of the Organization Department of the Central Committee of the CPC, the Ministry of Personnel, and the Ministry of Public Security on the Issue of Determining Dates of Birth when Processing Retirement Procedures for Cadres" (Zutongzi [1990] No. 24, suspended on October 15, 2006, and abolished on December 22, 2013) regulated the determination of cadres' dates of birth. During verification, it is necessary to grasp the policy basis of different periods.
What are the overall requirements for executing the cadre date of birth management policy? Answer: According to the spirit of Document Zutongzi [2006] No. 41, the overall requirement for executing the cadre date of birth management policy is "generally no changes; correct any falsifications."
What are the basic principles for correcting and redetermining falsified dates of birth for cadres? Answer:
(1) Fairness and Justice: Ensure equality before the policy and treat everyone alike, preventing falsifiers from benefiting, especially from benefiting repeatedly.
(2) Earliest and First: Strictly execute the provisions of Document Zutongzi [2006] No. 41, which states: "For individual cadres whose date of birth recorded in their personnel files is inconsistent with their household registration, it shall be based on the earliest date of birth recorded in either their cadre files or their household registration files." "The earliest recorded date of birth" refers to the date of birth found in the earliest formed documents within the cadre's personnel or household registration files.
(3) Comprehensive Evidence Collection: For cases involving alterations or false entries (making the age older or younger) that are suspected of falsification and difficult to determine, the organization and personnel department must assign dedicated personnel to the public security department to review the original household registration files. If the original household registration document was formed earlier than the cadre personnel file, the household registration file shall serve as the basis. If the original household registration document was formed later, auxiliary materials such as early documents in the cadre personnel file, cadre birth certificates, and files of close relatives must be reviewed. The original evidentiary materials collected must be originals without alterations. Any alterations must be carefully screened, and if necessary, sent to the public security department for material evidence identification.
(4) Strict Organizational Determination Procedures: After comprehensive investigation and evidence collection, the Party committee (Party group) or the organization and personnel department shall, in accordance with cadre management authority and based on the verification results, make a determination on the cadre's date of birth through collective research and comprehensive analysis. Determinations made without following these procedures will not be recognized. If a file is falsified, it must be earnestly corrected, and relevant responsible persons must be severely dealt with according to relevant regulations.
If the date of birth recorded in the earliest material of a cadre's personnel file is inconsistent with other materials, but the dates recorded in the other materials are consistent, can the determination be based on the consistent date from the other materials? Answer: The determination must follow the "earliest and first" principle and cannot be based on the consistent date recorded in the later materials. The earliest material must be free of alterations or false age entries.
How should a determination be made if the date of birth recorded in the earliest material of the cadre's personnel file has been altered? Answer: The organization and personnel department shall send dedicated personnel to the public security department to investigate and verify. If an earlier original household registration document can be found, the determination shall be based on the household registration record, provided it does not result in duplicate benefits. If an earlier original household registration document cannot be found, early documents in the cadre personnel file and auxiliary materials such as birth certificates and close relatives' files must be reviewed, and the altered file materials should, depending on the situation, be sent to the public security department for material evidence identification. The Party committee (Party group) or organization and personnel department, according to cadre management authority and the verification results, shall make a determination through collective research and comprehensive analysis.
If a cadre falsely increased their age in early personnel file records due to being underage for school, the Youth League, the Party, military enlistment, or recruitment, but later changed it back based on earlier household registration records, how should it be determined? Answer: Based on the principle of fairness and justice, to avoid duplicate benefits, the age must be recognized as the increased age entered at the time of entering school, joining the Youth League, the Party, the military, or being recruited.
If a cadre falsely decreased their age in early personnel file records due to being overage for military enlistment or recruitment, how should it be determined? Answer: The organization and personnel department must send dedicated personnel to public security, education, and other relevant departments to investigate, comprehensively collect evidence, and strictly follow organizational determination procedures. For anyone confirmed to have reduced their age, their actual age must be restored without exception to prevent continued benefits.
How should it be determined if the early materials recording the date of birth in a cadre's personnel file lack a formation date? Answer: It can be deduced according to the logical sequence of the formation of relevant materials in the cadre personnel file (e.g., a junior high school graduate registration form predates a senior high school graduate registration form). If the earliest material can be deduced, it can serve as the basis for determining the date of birth. If the earliest material cannot be deduced, the organization and personnel department must send dedicated personnel to investigate and verify with relevant departments. The determination shall then be made by the Party committee (Party group) or organization and personnel department through collective research and comprehensive analysis.
How should the birth month be determined if the earliest material in the cadre personnel file only records the birth year but not the month? Answer: Review other materials in the cadre's personnel file. If the birth year recorded in other materials matches the earliest material, and the birth month recorded in other materials is consistent, the birth month can be determined based on the other materials. If there are inconsistencies, the organization and personnel department must send dedicated personnel to investigate and verify with relevant departments, and the Party committee (Party group) or organization and personnel department shall make the determination through collective research and comprehensive analysis.
How should it be determined if the cadre personnel file involves a conversion between the lunar and Gregorian calendars for the date of birth? Answer: If the date of birth recorded in the earliest material of the cadre personnel file specifies terms such as "lunar calendar" (阴历, 古历, or 旧历), it can be determined based on the converted Gregorian (阳历) calendar date. If it does not specify such terms, but the organization has previously made a special determination verifying it as a lunar-to-Gregorian conversion case, the previous organizational determination shall prevail. Otherwise, no conversion or determination based on the lunar-to-Gregorian calendar change is permitted.
II. Time of Starting Work 11. For those who started work as workers, how is the start date of work determined? Answer:
(1) For workers recruited prior to the implementation of the "Regulations on Transforming the Management Mechanisms of State-Owned Industrial Enterprises" (State Council Decree No. 103, effective July 23, 1992), the date approved by the labor and personnel department at or above the county level during their initial employment shall be the basis.
(2) For workers recruited between the implementation of the aforementioned Regulations and the "Labor Contract Law of the People's Republic of China" (effective January 1, 2008), the date of the first signed labor contract or the date the enterprise processed employment procedures shall be the basis.
(3) For workers recruited after the implementation of the "Labor Contract Law," the actual date of starting work (employment) shall be the basis.
For those who started work as educated youth sent to the countryside, how is the start date of work determined? Answer: The "Notice of the Ministry of Labor and Personnel on Solving the Problem of Calculating the Length of Service for Former Educated Youth During their Stay in the Countryside" (Laorenpei [1985] No. 23) stipulates that for former educated youth sent to the countryside, "the time of starting work is calculated from the day they went to the countryside to join a production team." The basis for determination includes relevant approval materials or authentic and valid documentary evidence of the educated youth.
For those who started work as community-sponsored teachers (minban teachers), how is the start date of work determined? Answer: Document No. 160 (1987) of the former State Education Commission stipulates: "After a community-sponsored teacher is converted to a state-paid teacher, their time of starting work is calculated from the starting date of their continuous length of service." The basis includes relevant approval materials or authentic and valid documentary evidence. Regarding the "continuous length of service" of community-sponsored teachers, it is explicitly calculated by merging the time worked as an officially approved community-sponsored teacher immediately prior to becoming an official state employee with the subsequent working time. (Detailed provisions apply for continuous transfers and work within educational administration departments).
For those who started work as rural doctors (formerly barefoot doctors), how is the start date of work determined? Answer: Similar to community-sponsored teachers, their time of starting work is calculated from the start of their continuous length of service after becoming an official state employee, subject to approval by health administrative departments at or above the county level. Post-1988 rural doctors must have passed exams and obtained a certificate. Their continuous length of service merges their approved time as rural/barefoot doctors prior to becoming an official state employee.
If a worker takes an exam to enter a regular college/university and is redispatched after graduation, how is their start date of work determined? Answer: For formal workers, the original recruitment date prevails. For contract or long-term temporary workers, the start date is determined from the date they report to their unit after graduation and job assignment.
If the employment reporting date on the Employment Registration Certificate (Dispatch Certificate) conflicts with the start date on the "Probation Conversion and Grading Form," which should prevail? Answer: Generally, the start date recorded on the "Probation Conversion and Grading Form" shall prevail.
If personnel agency procedures were handled at a talent or labor market when starting work, how is the start date determined? Answer: The start date can be determined based on the start date stipulated in the labor contract signed with the relevant unit.
If a person was selected as a college student village official but did not process personnel agency procedures, does it count as starting work? Answer: Yes, they should be deemed as having started work, and the start date can be determined as the date they reported to the grassroots level.
If someone started work in a private enterprise, signed a labor contract, and paid urban employee basic pension insurance, but did not process personnel agency procedures, how is the start date determined? Answer: If recruited before the "Labor Contract Law" (Jan 1, 2008), it is based on the date of the first labor contract or the date employment procedures were processed. If recruited after, it is based on the actual date of starting work (employment).
For those who started work under the age of 16, how is the start date determined? Answer: If they fall under exceptions like professional arts/sports workers approved by proper authorities, it can be recognized based on approval documents. Other cases will be evaluated based on history and facts; valid and procedural cases are recognized, while false or "empty-name" cases must be corrected and investigated.
For those who enlisted in the military under the age of 18, how is the start date determined? Answer: According to the "Military Service Law," "the active service years of military personnel are calculated as length of service." The work start date for those enlisted under 18 is calculated from the date their military enlistment was approved.
III. Time of Joining the Party and Party Membership Status 22. If the Party admission date annotated by the higher-level Party committee in the "Application for Party Membership" conflicts with the regulations on calculating Party standing, which prevails? Answer: In principle, the Party admission date annotated by the higher-level Party committee prevails.
How is the Party admission date determined for those who joined the Party under the age of 18? Answer: Following the Party Constitution and relevant regulations, and based on respecting history and seeking truth from facts, specific analysis and handling should be applied. The determination of their Party admission date is the responsibility of the provincial Party committee's organization department.
How is falsification of Party membership status handled? Answer: Those admitted in violation of regulations will not be recognized. Those who use fraud or other means to develop unqualified individuals into Party members, or issue proof of Party membership for non-members, shall be strictly dealt with according to discipline and law.
How are the admission dates and statuses of members of democratic parties confirmed? Answer: Dates vary by party (e.g., the date the branch meeting passes it for the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang; the date of approval by an organization at or above the prefectural level for the China Democratic League, etc.). The cadre's personnel file must contain relevant approval materials or authentic and valid documentary evidence.
IV. Academic Qualifications and Degrees 26. How are full-time and in-service education distinguished for higher education qualifications and degrees? Answer: Degrees obtained before starting work: if they meet national educational provisions for regular full-time education, they are treated as full-time; otherwise, generally as in-service. Degrees obtained after starting work must meet four conditions to be considered full-time: (1) Admitted via the national unified college entrance exam; (2) Full-time on-campus study; (3) Complete separation of work/wage relations with the original unit and transfer of personal files; (4) Issuance of regular higher education certificates and redispatch upon graduation. Otherwise, they are generally considered in-service.
Are cadre specialized courses (干部专修科) considered full-time education? Answer: Yes, cadre specialized courses with a 2-3 year schooling length are considered full-time education at the associate degree (junior college) level.
How are the educational qualifications of graduates from "university general classes" (大学普通班) determined? Answer: For college students entering regular higher education institutions from 1970 to 1976, their qualifications are recognized by the state as "university general class" graduation.
Are graduate course advanced classes (研究生课程进修班) recognized as an educational qualification? Answer: No. They are a non-degree educational form for in-service personnel. They can only issue "certificates of completion" and cannot be recognized as an academic qualification.
How are master's and doctoral degrees applied for with equivalent academic ability (同等学力) determined? Answer:
(1) Master's: Requires passing national unified exams (foreign language since 1995, and subject comprehensives for certain subjects since 1999). Determined based on degree course transcripts and approval materials.
(2) Doctoral: Currently, there is no national unified qualification exam. Determined based on degree course transcripts and approval materials.
- How are degrees obtained at the Central Party School determined? Answer: They are divided into three types:
(1) National Education: Includes postgraduate and certain adult/业余 (amateur) college education approved by national authorities and involving national exams.
(2) In-service Postgraduate Education: Yields an in-service postgraduate diploma but no degree. Certified by the Central Party School Graduate School.
(3) Correspondence Education: Certified by the Central Party School Cadre Education College. Strict regulations govern admissions, duration, and graduation.
- How are degrees obtained at provincial (regional, municipal) Party schools determined? Answer:
(1) National Education: Only graduate education from 14 specific provincial/municipal Party schools with proper national qualifications.
(2) In-service Postgraduate Education: Yields a diploma but no degree.
(3) Correspondence Education: Authenticated by the issuing Party school.
How are degrees obtained at military academies determined? Answer: Based on category (regular students,函授/correspondence, commissioned training). Any disputes are jointly verified by the Ministry of Education and the Military Training Department of the General Staff Department of the PLA.
Are degrees recognized if the individual obtained them by bypassing eligibility reviews and passing exams under false pretenses? Answer: No. Degrees obtained through falsification or in violation of admission regulations will be recalled, invalidated, and not recognized, and the individual will be held accountable for fraud.
How are academic qualifications and degrees authenticated? Answer: Domestic diplomas are authenticated by the CHSI (China Higher Education Student Information network). Domestic degrees are authenticated by the CDGDC (China Academic Degrees and Graduate Education Development Center). Foreign degrees are authenticated by the CSCSE (Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange).
V. Work Experience 36. How are exceptional promotions and skipped-level promotions determined? Answer: The primary focus is on whether they complied with the cadre policies and appointment procedures at the time. Promotions that violated policy provisions, failed to follow cadre appointment procedures, or lacked Party committee (Party group) meeting minutes will not be recognized. Those involving falsification will be held accountable.
VI. Cadre Status 37. How is the cadre status of personnel who converted to or were recruited as cadres determined? Answer: Determine whether the approval forms for conversion or recruitment are authentic and valid according to relevant historical and current policies. For those who were "workers acting as cadres" (以工代干) in specific historical periods, verification must be based on relevant official notices regarding the rectification of the "workers acting as cadres" issue.