The Communist Party of China (CPC) needs to spruce up its membership resignation system so as to let go unqualified and corrupt members, suggests an article published on Saturday by the People's Tribune, an academic magazine under the People's Daily.

The article, authored by Zhang Xi'en, a professor with Shandong University, marks the first time that a State-run publication has suggested reducing the number of Party members to streamline the structure.

Cai Zhiqiang, a professor of Party building with the Party School of the CPC Central Committee, said the article indicates the importance of enhancing the member resignation system.

"The Party has more than 80 million members, a tremendous figure that poses a huge challenge to its management," Cai said, adding that the article shows the problems in the system that need to be addressed.

Wang Wenzhang, a professor at the Institute of Social Development at Peking University, told the Global Times that the number of members does not determine the overall quality.

However, the piece is not implying that the Party will take measures to slash its members as it lacks criteria on deciding who should leave, Cai added, noting that the number will remain above 60 million for the next 10 years. "The members are supposed to be passionate about the communism, but in reality many obtained membership just to seek professional benefits and networking opportunities," Cai said.

Zhang echoed Cai's opinion, saying that some members are morally corrupt, lack the spirit of communism and are indifferent to the organization and disciplines, and that the Party should give them the boot to improve its efficiency.

While the Party Constitution allows members to "quit freely," an invisible barrier has blocked the way out.

Cai said there's a prevalent yet wrong concept that only traitors will quit, and they are usually discriminated against.

"Those members who choose to leave need to be treated fairly," he added.

The article came against the backdrop of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee suggesting earlier this year that the Party should be kept at "an appropriate scale" allowing it to maintain a desirable structure and ensures the high quality of its members.

Wang said the fundamental issue is to renew the Party's management style. "This is no longer the era where the Party had to tightly control loyal members to push for a revolution. A freer way of managing the members is now viable."

Cai said the Party should raise the bar for accepting new members to ensure there is enough "high-quality fresh blood" to inject creativity and vitality.