Eight Honors and Eight Shames

The Eight honors and Eight Shames (simplified Chinese: 八荣八耻; traditional Chinese: 八榮八恥; pinyin: bā róng bā chĭ) also known as the Eight honors and Disgraces, is a set of moral concepts developed by former General Secretary Hu Jintao for the citizens of the People's Republic of China. It is also known as Eight Virtues and Shames, or Hu Jintao’s Eight-Step Programme. Its formal name in China is Socialist Concepts on honors and Disgraces (simplified Chinese: 社会主义荣辱观; traditional Chinese: 社會主義榮辱觀; pinyin: shè huì zhŭ yì róng rŭ guān).

On March 4, 2006, Hu released this list calling it the "new moral yardstick to measure the work, conduct and attitude of Communist Party officials." It is being promulgated as the moral code for all Chinese, especially Communist Party cadres.

Eight Honors and Eight Shames

The Eight honors and Eight Shames printed on a banner near a school in Haikou.

In October 2006 the Xinhua News Agency posted an English translation of the Eight Honors and Eight Shames:

• Love the country; do it no harm. 以热爱祖国为荣　以危害祖国为耻
• Serve the people; never betray them. 以服务人民为荣　以背离人民为耻
• Follow science; discard ignorance. 以崇尚科学为荣　以愚昧无知为耻
• Be diligent; not indolent. 以辛勤劳动为荣　以好逸恶劳为耻
• Be united, help each other; make no gains at others' expense. 以团结互助为荣　以损人利己为耻
• Be honest and trustworthy; do not sacrifice ethics for profit. 以诚实守信为荣　以见利忘义为耻
• Be disciplined and law-abiding; not chaotic and lawless. 以遵纪守法为荣　以违法乱纪为耻
• Live plainly, work hard; do not wallow in luxuries and pleasures. 以艰苦奋斗为荣　以骄奢淫逸为耻

Reception

Slogans outside Nanjing Railway Station, saying "To Build up Socialist Concepts on honors and Shames"

The concept of Ba Rong Ba Chi has been the frequent subject of parodies on the Chinese internet. Children in primary schools and kindergartens are also organized to learn the song which has been compiled with lyrics based on Ba Chi, and performed them in front of the government officials during routine inspection.

See also

• Scientific Development Concept
• Eight Musts