bǐng gōng bàn lǐ: 秉公办理 - To handle a matter impartially, To act justly

• Keywords: binggong banli, 秉公办理 meaning, Chinese for impartiality, handle things fairly, act justly, Chinese official corruption, public affairs, bureaucratic integrity, legal fairness in China, anti-corruption idiom
• Summary: The Chinese idiom 秉公办理 (bǐng gōng bàn lǐ) is a formal and powerful term that means to handle matters, especially official or public ones, with strict impartiality and fairness. It stresses the importance of acting according to public interest and justice, free from personal bias, favoritism, or corruption. This concept is a cornerstone of legal, governmental, and corporate integrity in China, representing the ideal standard for anyone in a position of authority.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): bǐng gōng bàn lǐ
• Part of Speech: Idiom (Chengyu) / Verb Phrase
• HSK Level: N/A (Advanced/Chengyu)
• Concise Definition: To handle matters according to public interest and justice, without personal bias.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 秉公办理 (bǐng gōng bàn lǐ) as the ultimate professional and moral standard for decision-making. It's the equivalent of “handling things strictly by the book” or “acting with complete impartiality.” This phrase is reserved for serious situations, particularly in government, law, and business, where fairness is paramount. It's a promise to set aside personal feelings and connections (`关系 guānxi`) to ensure a just and equitable outcome for everyone involved.

• 秉 (bǐng): To hold, to grasp, or to uphold. It implies firmly holding onto a principle or standard.
• 公 (gōng): Public, common, or just. It is the direct opposite of `私 (sī)`, which means private or selfish.
• 办 (bàn): To handle, to manage, or to do. It's the “action” part of the phrase.
• 理 (lǐ): To arrange, to put in order, or reason. When combined with `办`, `办理 (bànlǐ)` means “to handle” or “to process.”

When you combine them, `秉 (upholding) + 公 (public justice) + 办理 (to handle)`, the phrase literally translates to “upholding public justice while handling matters.” It paints a clear picture of an individual who acts as a guardian of fairness.

The concept of `秉公办理` is deeply rooted in China's long history and Confucian philosophy, which extols the virtues of the just and incorruptible official (`清官 qīnguān`). For centuries, the ideal leader was one who governed selflessly for the good of the people, not for personal or familial gain. `秉公办理` is the modern linguistic expression of this ancient ideal. A key cultural contrast can be made with the Western concept of “rule of law.” While “rule of law” emphasizes the importance of an impartial system and its procedures, `秉公办理` places a strong moral emphasis on the individual acting within that system. It's not just about following the rules; it's about having the personal integrity to resist the powerful cultural pull of `关系 (guānxi)`—the network of personal connections that can often influence decisions. To `秉公办理` is to explicitly reject cronyism and favoritism, making it a powerful statement against corruption and a cornerstone of public trust.

`秉公办理` is a formal and serious term. Using it in a casual setting would be inappropriate and sound overly dramatic.

• Government and Legal Affairs: This is the phrase's home turf. It's frequently used in official documents, legal proceedings, and government announcements. Citizens might write a formal complaint letter demanding that officials `秉公办理` their case. News reports about anti-corruption investigations will often state that the case will be handled impartially.
• Corporate and Business Settings: A manager might assure employees that a sensitive issue, like promotions or layoffs, will be subject to `秉公办理` to quell fears of favoritism. It serves as a promise of a fair and transparent process.
• Formal Demands for Justice: When an individual feels they have been wronged by an institution, they will often use this phrase to demand fair treatment. It carries a heavy weight and implies that the current handling of the situation is perceived as biased.

The connotation is overwhelmingly positive, describing a laudable and ideal course of action.

• Example 1:
  • 法官承诺，无论被告是谁，法院都将秉公办理此案。
  • Pinyin: Fǎguān chéngnuò, wúlùn bèigào shì shéi, fǎyuàn dōu jiāng bǐng gōng bàn lǐ cǐ àn.
  • English: The judge promised that regardless of who the defendant is, the court will handle this case impartially.
  • Analysis: This is a classic legal context. The phrase reassures the public of the court's commitment to justice, independent of the defendant's status or influence.
• Example 2:
  • 作为经理，我必须秉公办理，不能因为他是我朋友就偏袒他。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi jīnglǐ, wǒ bìxū bǐng gōng bàn lǐ, bùnéng yīnwèi tā shì wǒ péngyǒu jiù piāntǎn tā.
  • English: As a manager, I must act impartially and cannot show favoritism just because he is my friend.
  • Analysis: This example clearly illustrates the conflict between personal relationships (`朋友`) and professional duty, which is the core tension `秉公办理` seeks to resolve.
• Example 3:
  • 群众要求政府对这次污染事件进行调查，并秉公办理责任人。
  • Pinyin: Qúnzhòng yāoqiú zhèngfǔ duì zhè cì wūrǎn shìjiàn jìnxíng diàochá, bìng bǐng gōng bàn lǐ zérènrén.
  • English: The public demands that the government investigate this pollution incident and deal with those responsible in a just manner.
  • Analysis: Here, citizens are using the phrase to pressure the government into acting fairly and holding people accountable, a common usage in social and political contexts.
• Example 4:
  • 公司的晋升制度非常明确，所有决定都会秉公办理。
  • Pinyin: Gōngsī de jìnshēng zhìdù fēicháng míngquè, suǒyǒu juédìng dūhuì bǐng gōng bàn lǐ.
  • English: The company's promotion system is very clear, and all decisions will be handled impartially.
  • Analysis: In a corporate setting, this phrase is used to build trust in internal processes and assure employees of fairness.
• Example 5:
  • 这位历史上有名的清官一生都坚持秉公办理，深受百姓爱戴。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi lìshǐ shàng yǒumíng de qīngguān yīshēng dōu jiānchí bǐng gōng bàn lǐ, shēn shòu bǎixìng àidài.
  • English: This famous, incorruptible official in history insisted on handling all matters with justice his entire life and was deeply loved by the common people.
  • Analysis: This connects the term to its historical and cultural roots, describing the ideal character of a just official (`清官`).
• Example 6:
  • 纪律检查委员会表示，他们会秉公办理，绝不姑息任何腐败行为。
  • Pinyin: Jìlǜ jiǎnchá wěiyuánhuì biǎoshì, tāmen huì bǐng gōng bàn lǐ, jué bù gūxī rènhé fǔbài xíngwéi.
  • English: The Disciplinary Inspection Committee stated that they will handle the matter impartially and will absolutely not tolerate any corrupt behavior.
  • Analysis: This is typical language from an anti-corruption body, using the phrase as a solemn vow of their commitment.
• Example 7:
  • 在分配救灾物资时，我们必须秉公办理，确保物资能送到最需要的人手中。
  • Pinyin: Zài fēnpèi jiùzāi wùzī shí, wǒmen bìxū bǐng gōng bàn lǐ, quèbǎo wùzī néng sòng dào zuì xūyào de rén shǒuzhōng.
  • English: When distributing disaster relief supplies, we must act impartially to ensure the supplies get to the people who need them most.
  • Analysis: This shows the term's application in logistics and resource allocation, where fairness is critical.
• Example 8:
  • 他给上级写了一封信，恳求他们秉公办理他父亲的冤案。
  • Pinyin: Tā gěi shàngjí xiěle yī fēng xìn, kěnqiú tāmen bǐng gōng bàn lǐ tā fùqīn de yuān'àn.
  • English: He wrote a letter to the higher authorities, begging them to handle his father's unjust case with impartiality.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the phrase used by an individual appealing to a higher power for justice.
• Example 9:
  • 老师在处理学生之间的矛盾时，也应该做到秉公办理。
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī zài chǔlǐ xuéshēng zhī jiān de máodùn shí, yě yīnggāi zuò dào bǐng gōng bàn lǐ.
  • English: When handling conflicts between students, teachers should also be impartial.
  • Analysis: While still formal, this example brings the concept into a more everyday (but still serious) context like a school, showing its broader applicability to any figure of authority.
• Example 10:
  • 秉公办理是每一个公务员都应遵守的基本原则。
  • Pinyin: Bǐng gōng bàn lǐ shì měi yīgè gōngwùyuán dōu yīng zūnshǒu de jīběn yuánzé.
  • English: Acting with impartiality is a fundamental principle that every civil servant should abide by.
  • Analysis: This sentence treats the phrase as an abstract noun—the principle of acting impartially—highlighting its status as a core value.

• Formality is Key: The most common mistake is using `秉公办理` in a casual situation. If you and your friends are deciding who gets the last slice of pizza, saying “我们必须秉公办理” (We must handle this impartially) would sound sarcastic and absurd. Reserve it for situations involving rules, regulations, official duties, or justice.
• False Friend: “To handle professionally”: In English, “handling something professionally” can mean being efficient, skilled, and emotionally detached. `秉公办理` is more specific. It's not about skill, but about moral integrity and fairness, specifically in the face of potential bias from personal connections. An official could be very “professional” in their efficiency but still be corrupt. They would not, however, be engaging in `秉公办理`.
• Incorrect Usage Example:
  • `X` 我晚饭吃什么，你帮我秉公办理一下吧。 (Wǒ wǎnfàn chī shénme, nǐ bāng wǒ bǐng gōng bàn lǐ yīxià ba.)
  • `X` What should I eat for dinner? Help me handle it impartially.
  • Why it's wrong: This is a trivial, personal decision. There is no “public interest” (`公`) at stake. The phrase's formality and moral weight are completely out of place, making the sentence nonsensical.

• 公正 (gōngzhèng) - Just, fair, impartial. An adjective describing the quality that `秉公办理` demonstrates.
• 公平 (gōngpíng) - Fair, equitable. Often used to describe outcomes, like a fair competition (`公平的比赛`) or a fair price. `秉公办理` is the process that leads to a `公平` result.
• 大公无私 (dà gōng wú sī) - A chengyu meaning “selfless and devoted to the public good.” It describes the character of a person who would `秉公办理`.
• 铁面无私 (tiě miàn wú sī) - Literally “iron-faced and selfless.” A chengyu describing a judge or official who is strict, unyielding, and completely impartial. This is `秉公办理` in its most formidable form.
• 一视同仁 (yī shì tóng rén) - To treat everyone equally; to make no distinction between people. This is a core principle required to `秉公办理`.
• 徇私舞弊 (xùn sī wǔ bì) - (Antonym) To practice favoritism for personal gain and engage in corruption. This is the exact opposite of `秉公办理`.
• 关系 (guānxi) - The network of personal connections and social influence. The pressure to act according to `关系` is the primary force that `秉公办理` is meant to counteract.
• 清官 (qīnguān) - An honest and incorruptible official. This historical archetype is the perfect embodiment of the spirit of `秉公办理`.