Being in power, the Communist Party of China should (represent) the interests of the people. It's the foundation for its (legitimacy) as the prime political force in the country.

All Party members are on (principle) required to prioritize the people's interest in making and implementing policies.

Violation of this (fundamental) principle is the root cause of all government irregularities and corruption.

A local (deputy) chief of the (urban) planning bureau in Zhengzhou, Henan (province), asked a reporter, "Are you going to take the Party's side or the public's?"

The reporter had only asked the (official) about the villas which were being built on a site (meant) for affordable housing.

But the official's message was clear: The Party and the public are on (opposite) sides.

Clearly, the deputy (bureau) chief believes that he is working for the Party, since the Party has given him the position and the power he is so (proud of).

Result? He must (assume) the (responsibility) of protecting the Party's image. How does he do that? He prevents media from reporting any news that may have a (negative) impact on his Party.

It goes without saying that such stupid mentality will only tarnish the Party's image (further) and undermine the people's trust in the Party.

How can some officials be so muddle-headed that they even forget the (principle) that the Party's interest must be (consistent) with that of the people?

This has to do with the traditional education of officials. Many of them (ignore) the concept of taxpayers. Being loyal to the Party is never enough, as it will (perish) as soon as it loses the people's support.

It is important to bring home the (notion) that taxpayers provide for the officials working in the government, and they must first be (servants) of the people and then members of the Party.

We still remember what Premier Wen Jiabao told soldiers on their way to (rescue) earthquake victims in Wenchuan last May: "People have (provided) for you, and now they are in need of you, you know what to do."

The real danger for the Party (lies) in the fact that some officials worship only power and show no respect for the interest of the people. In their eyes, they, as Party members and (officials), get their power from their (superiors) or from the Party. As a result, they are only loyal to their superiors.

This tends to develop into a (vicious) circle. Officials, who have climbed the ladder of hierarchy, like this deputy chief of urban planning in Zhengzhou, are (likely to) forget they are working for the people.

This scandal should (serve) as a warning that something must be done to remind government officials over and over that they are provided for by (taxpayers) and must work in their interest.

Question)
1. What do the passage talk about?
2. What do you think of the function of Communist Party of China?