In today's era of complex global challenges, measuring governance success has never been more crucial. The West seems to have lost its way, with liberal democracy in crisis. In contrast, China remains an inspiring model in many respects.

Reflecting on Chinese President Xi Jinping's insights in "Establishing and Practicing a Correct Understanding of Governance Performance", one core question stands out: "For whom is governance performance practiced?" Western leaders have forgotten this crucial issue and indulged in selfish oligarchy.

But China's philosophy is unequivocal — governance is for the people.

This is not merely a slogan, but the foundational principle that guides every policy, every project, and every evaluation of an official's work. Xi's writings consistently emphasize the Party's core purpose: serving the people. Governance performance is not an end in itself, nor a metric for personal advancement. Its value is derived solely from its contribution to the people's well-being.

This understanding of governance performance acts as a crucial compass, steering officials away from "image projects" and "vanity metrics" — those flashy but hollow initiatives designed for career advancement — toward the less visible but far more meaningful work of addressing people's needs.

Therefore, true performance is found in solving the "pinhead and thread" issues of daily life. This can involve ensuring a family in a remote village has electricity, helping a young graduate find dignified employment, or creating a clean, safe community for the elderly.

These actions build trust, earn the genuine appreciation of people and provide hope for future generations.

A correct view of governance embraces a long-term perspective, recognizing that the most valuable contributions are those whose fruits are harvested by future generations. This philosophy challenges the myopic pursuit of short-term results and encourages officials at all levels to invest in foundational work such as environmental restoration, scientific research, educational reform and institutional strengthening. These "hidden merits" may not make headlines but are essential for sustainable and high-quality development. Evaluating performance through this lens requires patience and wisdom from both officials and appraisal systems. It means valuing a reforested hillside as much as a new industrial park, and prioritizing a robust public health service over a one-time local economic stimulus.

People from my part of the world may ask: What is the guarantee that this people-centered view will prevail? This is because lies and propaganda dominate the political discourse in the West. Xi identifies a spirit — the commitment to the public-serving mission — as a decisive factor.

The spirit helps officials transcend personal interests and align their actions with the goals of the people.

Reliance on individual morality must be complemented by clear legal rules, a normative framework and strong institutions. In China, governance performance is embedded in the very architecture of evaluation and accountability. It means refining assessment mechanisms to listen to the people; avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach that can distort priorities; rewarding foundational work and enforcing accountability.

Why should this be shared with the world? Simply because the quest for a correct understanding of governance performance is not unique to China.

Worldwide, citizens are demanding that their governments deliver tangible improvements in their lives, not just statistics and propaganda.

The Chinese emphasis on "people-centered development" offers a valuable perspective for this global conversation. It reminds us that governance, at its best, is stewardship.

Officials are entrusted with power and resources not for self-aggrandizement, but as temporary custodians tasked with improving the collective condition. The ultimate report card is written not in internal memos, but in the lived experiences of the people — their security, prosperity, dignity, and hope for the future.

From my perspective in the Western Balkans, the question "For whom is governance performance practiced?" resonates deeply with a generation grappling with disillusionment.

Many young people see politics as a distant arena of elite competition, where performance is often measured by ribbon-cutting ceremonies or short-term patronage, not by lasting improvements in people's quality of life. The result is a persistent brain drain.

This is why Xi's understanding of governance performance holds universal appeal. When young people see that policies are evaluated by whether they solve real problems such as affordable housing, digital infrastructure and green jobs, they re-engage.

They recognize that governance is not about who holds power, but how that power is used to empower others.

In this sense, the Chinese governance philosophy offers a valuable reference point: development must be judged by whether it enables the next generation to build their lives with dignity and hope. This is not an Eastern or Western value; it is a human one.

As China embarks on the new journey of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), reinforcing a correct understanding of governance performance is both timely and essential.

"For whom is governance performance practiced?" The answer to this question must forever echo: For the people.

This truth transcends borders, offering young generations in the Western Balkans and beyond a compass: governance that empowers their dignity, opportunity and future is governance worth believing in. When performance is truly practiced for the people, it ceases to be an administrative concept and becomes the living engine of shared prosperity. This is the enduring value that speaks to the very purpose of political power in any society, at any time.

The author is a professor of political science and international relations from Skopje, North Macedonia and the director of Synergia Orbi: Institute for Global Analysis.

The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.

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