Chen Shaohui and Sun Xiguo: On the Logical Framework, Practical Strategies, and Significant Significance of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture
Xi Jinping Thought on Culture adheres to dialectical materialism and historical materialism, inheriting and carrying forward the fine traditions and valuable experience of the Communist Party of China's (CPC) publicity and cultural work over the past century. It aligns with the trends of historical development and the practical requirements of the New Era. Its connotations are rich, comprehensive, and profound. It serves not only as a scientific guide and program of action for cultural development on the new journey of building a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation, but also as the fundamental compliance for constructing a modern civilization characterized by the comprehensive and coordinated development of the material, spiritual, political, social, and ecological civilizations of the Chinese nation.
The Holistic and Strategic Role of Culture in Building a Strong Country and National Rejuvenation
From the perspective of the definition of "culture," in a broad sense, culture encompasses all the material and spiritual wealth created by humanity in the process of understanding and transforming the world. In a narrow sense, "a given culture (as an ideological form) is a reflection of the politics and economy of a given society," serving as the core content of the conceptual superstructure. [1] The concept of "culture" within Xi Jinping Thought on Culture encompasses both the narrow sense—that is, the ideological or spiritual culture that forms the core of the conceptual superstructure—and the broad sense of "Chinese culture," which fuses institutional, spiritual, and ecological cultures into one. Therefore, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture is both the guiding ideology for "cultural" development in the New Era and the fundamental compliance for advancing the construction of a modern Chinese civilization in a comprehensive and coordinated manner, including elements of material, spiritual, political, social, and ecological civilizations.
From the perspective of the relationship between culture and civilization, culture is the reflection of a society's politics and economy in ideological form, while civilization is a hallmark of human progress and enlightenment; civilization is the "goodness" of culture. Through a long historical evolution, Chinese civilization has ultimately formed a civilizational pattern of "pluralistic unity" [2] and a national pattern of the community for the Chinese nation. Chinese civilization is inclusive and ever-renewing, serving as a precious ideological asset for us to promote the inheritance and development of culture and the continuity and innovation of civilization at this new stage of historical development.
From the perspective of cultural characteristics, culture plays a vital role in social development, national governance, and civilizational progress. If ideological culture fails to advance with the times, the result will inevitably be catastrophic; likewise, if one fails to focus on the inheritance and development of culture and abruptly severs the nation's traditional culture, the result will also be catastrophic. In this sense, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasizes the need to achieve the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture. We must summarize laws from the process of historical development and practice; building a modern Chinese civilization requires both proficiency in inheritance and the courage to innovate.
From the perspective of cultural soft power, cultural soft power is the cohesion and appeal a country manifests based on its culture; it is the vitality of a country and nation rooted in its ethnic bloodline. Currently, amidst changes unseen in a century, the competition for cultural soft power between nations is becoming increasingly fierce. The struggle for culture is a struggle for destiny, for the road, and for direction; more importantly, it is a struggle for values and for the hearts of the people. Its core is ideological competition. Ideology is the banner and soul of a political party, determining the direction and path of cultural progress. Therefore, only with theoretical clarity can one be politically steadfast. We must solidify the value foundation of cultural confidence and self-improvement, arming the masses with correct theories to guide practice.
From the perspective of the origin and development of culture, culture is concrete and historical; the practice of a specific historical period is the source and driving force of culture. The great practice of the New Era of socialism with Chinese characteristics calls for a new culture and will inevitably produce and strengthen one. Culture is the mother of systems and an important force for national survival and development. Currently, we are on a new journey toward the historical cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation. We must continuously strengthen cultural development to provide strong spiritual motivation, intellectual support, and ideological guarantees for national development. It is in this sense that Xi Jinping Thought on Culture grasps the endogenous laws of cultural development and meets the urgent needs of the masses.
The Logical Architecture of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture
Xi Jinping Thought on Culture is both a worldview in theoretical form and a methodology in practical form. It is a powerful ideological weapon and scientific guide for action for cultural development in the New Era. It serves as the task book and roadmap for shoulder the new cultural mission and building a modern Chinese civilization on the new journey of building a strong country and achieving rejuvenation.
(1) A Theoretical Form that "Clarifies the Substance and Reaches the Application" [3]
Xi Jinping Thought on Culture creatively combines the basic tenets of Marxism with fine traditional Chinese culture, resolving the "contention between the ancient and the modern, the Chinese and the Western," marking another liberation of the mind.
First, regarding the basic standpoint, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture adheres to the fundamental standpoint of being people-centered, maintains the subjectivity of Chinese culture, and persists in cultural confidence and self-improvement. Marxism takes practice as its medium and "seeking liberation for humanity" as its ultimate value. By adhering to the "Two Combinations" (combining the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with fine traditional Chinese culture), the CPC has not only written the "Chinese story" of China's rise—the most exciting event of the 21st century—but has also forged and tempered a great "Chinese spirit" through over a century of great struggle leading the people.
Second, regarding the basic viewpoints, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture creatively proposes the view that "politics is the skeleton, economy is the flesh and blood, and culture is the soul." It both adheres to the idea that culture originates from the practice of material production and emphasizes the active counter-reaction of culture upon the economic base and social development. The subordinacy and derivativeness of culture dictate that a given ideological culture must necessarily contain certain values and specific interest demands. Therefore, illusions such as so-called "de-ideologization," "universal values," or "cultural nihilism" [4] simply do not exist in the world. It is in this sense that General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Publicity, ideological, and cultural work concerns the future and destiny of the Party, the long-term stability of the country, and the cohesion and centripetal force of the nation; it is an extremely important task."
Third, regarding basic methodology, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture adheres to the "Two Combinations," clarifying the proposition of "upholding the fundamentals without being archaic, and respecting the ancient without returning to the past." [5] It creatively combines the basic principles of scientific socialism with fine traditional Chinese culture, endowing them with new characteristics of the times, making them important ideological and cultural resources for cultural development and national governance in the New Era.
Specifically, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture includes the following practical strategies: First, regarding the fundamental system, it adheres to the fundamental system of the guiding position of Marxism in the ideological field; it persists in serving the people and socialism, taking the core socialist values as a guide to develop advanced socialist culture, promote revolutionary culture, and inherit fine traditional Chinese culture. Second, in terms of cultural and educational work, it focuses on cultivating "new people of the era" who can shoulder the heavy responsibility of national rejuvenation, proposing that "when the people have faith, the country has strength, and the nation has hope." Third, in news and public opinion work, it adheres to the principle of Party spirit and Party management of the media, guiding journalists to be disseminators of the Party's policies and propositions, recorders of the times, promoters of social progress, and watchers of equity and justice. Fourth, in the field of philosophy and social sciences, it constructs an autonomous knowledge system, academic system, and discourse system for Chinese philosophy and social sciences. Fifth, in literature and art, it clarifies that literature and art must not lose their direction in the tide of the market economy; it insists on putting social benefits first, unifying social and economic benefits, and maintains a work orientation characterized by "having great justice in the chest, the people in the heart, responsibility on the shoulders, and the world in the pen." [6] Sixth, in the field of internet governance, it strengthens mainstream public opinion venues, enhances cyberspace governance, and promotes the in-depth integrated development of media. Seventh, at the level of values, it unequivocally opposes so-called Western "universal values" and jointly advocates the common values of humanity. Eighth, in international cultural exchange and communication, it seeks to tell the China story well and form international discourse power commensurate with China's comprehensive national strength and international status.
(2) A Practical Form of the "Integration of Substance and Application"
Xi Jinping Thought on Culture breaks the shackles of the "dichotomy between substance and application," [7] greatly promoting cultural development in the New Era and pointing out the developmental direction for modern Chinese civilization.
Cultural development for socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era has achieved historic successes and undergone historic changes through "hoisting the flag and directing the course" and "returning to the source and clearing the stream." [8] It has displayed a new outlook and stepped onto a new journey through upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground. This is centrally reflected in three aspects: First, in national cultural strategy, since the 18th National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has attached great importance to ideological and cultural work, significantly enhancing China’s cultural soft power. Second, in terms of social civility, the main theme of patriotism has become more deeply rooted in the hearts of the people; the scientific, cultural, and civilizational literacy of the citizens has significantly improved; and modern public culture has become increasingly refined. Third, in terms of the national psyche, the Chinese people are more high-spirited, upward-looking, calm, and rational, achieving a transition from "looking up to the West" in the past to "looking at the world on an equal footing."
From the perspective of the central task of the New Era and the new journey, Chinese-path modernization is a modernization in which material and spiritual civilizations are coordinated. It requires both material common prosperity and spiritual common prosperity. By arming people with scientific theories, guiding them with correct public opinion, shaping them with noble spirits, and inspiring them with excellent works, we can continuously meet the people's spiritual and cultural needs.
From the strategic perspective of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture is both the practical summary and theoretical crystallization of cultural development on the new journey of building a strong country and rejuvenation, and the fundamental compliance for the coordinated advancement of modern Chinese civilization. It is rooted in the fertile soil of fine traditional Chinese culture and forged in the great practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era. It marks a new height in our Party's understanding of the laws of cultural work and opens a new realm for the Marxist view of culture and its practice.
Practical Strategies for Advancing the Construction of Modern Chinese Civilization under the Guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture
(1) Strengthening Cultural Confidence: Grasping the Prominent Characteristics of Chinese Civilization to Nurture Modern Chinese Civilization
Chinese civilization is the spiritual source of the Chinese nation's continuous life, confidence, and self-improvement. First, Chinese civilization possesses prominent continuity, which fundamentally dictates that the Chinese nation must follow its own path. Second, Chinese civilization possesses prominent innovativeness; under the leadership of the CPC, the Chinese people have gone from standing up and becoming prosperous to becoming strong. The Chinese nation follows the enterprising spirit and innovative consciousness of "upholding the fundamentals without being archaic, and respecting the ancient without returning to the past." Third, Chinese civilization possesses a distinct unity; a united, stable, strong, and powerful country reflects a cultural form of shared values and increased cohesion. Fourth, Chinese civilization possesses prominent inclusiveness; the Chinese nation is open and inclusive, allowing Chinese culture to innovate through mutual learning in exchanges between ethnic groups and between the East and West, forging a historical orientation of civilizational exchange and a harmonious pattern of multi-ethnic coexistence. Fifth, the inherent peacefulness of Chinese civilization fundamentally determines that China will always be a builder of peace, a contributor to development, and a defender of order.
(2) Adhering to Openness and Inclusiveness: All Things Nourish Together Without Harming One Another; Ways Flow Together Without Conflict
The endogenous law of cultural development lies in advancing with the times and being inclusive. Civilizations differ only in their colorful variety, not in rank or status. Civilizations require exchange because of their diversity, mutual learning because of their exchange, and development because of their mutual learning. Since the New Era, China has adhered to a view of civilization based on equality, mutual learning, dialogue, and inclusiveness, opening a new form for the development of human civilizational interaction.
Currently, Western society holds two theories regarding the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation: the "Thucydides Trap" and the "Kindleberger Trap." Both use discourse hegemony to trap China in a dilemma. Based on such theoretical dilemmas and the international situation, General Secretary Xi Jinping creatively proposed the scientific concept of a community with a shared future for humanity. This is of significant value for breaking the obsolete logic that "a strong country must seek hegemony" and transcending the zero-sum game of the "clash of civilizations." Various civilizations with their own characteristics and styles are not stumbling blocks in the process of human development; rather, they provide an "other" or "stone from another mountain" [9] for reflection and reference for those situated in different civilizations.
Entering the New Era, socialism with Chinese characteristics upholds value concepts and modes of behavior where civilizational exchange transcends estrangement, mutual learning transcends conflict, and coexistence transcends superiority. It upholds an attitude of mutual learning based on equality. We must both consciously reject self-centrism and prevent national nihilism, conveying Chinese values and Chinese discourse in the contemporary international community where different civilizations and cultures are intertwined.
(3) Upholding the Fundamentals and Breaking New Ground: Adhering to the "Two Combinations"
Only by upholding the fundamentals can we avoid losing our direction or making subversive mistakes; only through innovation can we grasp and lead the era. Xi Jinping Thought on Culture both adheres to the "ancestors" (Marxist foundations) and dares to speak "new words." Xi Jinping Thought on Culture is contemporary Chinese Marxism...
The cultural chapter of 21st-century Marxism represents the essence of Chinese culture and the Chinese spirit in our times. Xi Jinping Thought on Culture maintains and develops the Marxist theory of the free and well-rounded development of the individual, proposing that the Chinese people must not only achieve independence and autonomy in the economic and political spheres but also attain independence, autonomy, self-reliance, and self-confidence in the spiritual and cultural spheres.
General Secretary Xi Jinping has creatively elucidated the dialectical relationship between modernization and fine traditional Chinese culture. Modernization by no means entails a rupture with traditional culture; rather, the Communist Party of China has always been a loyal inheritor and firm propagator of fine traditional Chinese culture, consciously integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with fine traditional Chinese culture. On the New Journey [10], the modern civilization of the Chinese nation is a new form of civilization that is oriented toward modernization rather than stagnation, toward the world rather than isolation, and toward the future rather than restorationism. The modern civilization of the Chinese nation both inherits the core of the glorious and splendid fine traditional Chinese culture and contains the revolutionary culture characterized by the spirit of "daring to command the sun and moon to bring a new day" [11], as well as a vigorous and upward-moving advanced socialist culture. Precisely by taking Marxism as its "soul-pulse" [12] and fine traditional Chinese culture as its "root-pulse," it can stand firm amidst the turbulence of world cultures, growing with deep roots and lush leaves.
(IV) Adhering to a Systems Perspective: Implementing the "Seven Focal Points" for Cultural Development in the New Era to Exert Systemic Synergy
"He who does not plan for the whole cannot plan for a single domain." Adhering to a systems perspective is an important component of the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, as well as an essential working method. Regarding cultural development in the New Era, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out the need to implement seven focal points: First, focus on strengthening the Party's leadership over ideological and cultural work; the leadership of the Communist Party of China holds a commanding position in the cultural development of the New Era. Second, in terms of building a socialist ideology with strong cohesion and leadership, "China, as a civilization-state, possesses a political commanding power and cultural centripetal force that resonate at the same frequency"; this is a vital aspect that must be implemented and further promoted in the cultural development of the New Era. Third, in terms of cultivating and practicing Core Socialist Values, cultural development in the New Era advocates for and practices seeking the "greatest common denominator" and "drawing the largest concentric circles" [13] of Core Socialist Values. Fourth, in terms of improving the reach, guidance, influence, and credibility of news and public opinion, we must adhere to the correct orientation of public opinion and strengthen mainstream ideological public opinion. Fifth, in terms of the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture, we must persist in integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with fine traditional Chinese culture. Sixth, in terms of promoting the prosperity and development of cultural programs and cultural industries, cultural programs must prioritize social benefits, while cultural industries must unify social benefits with economic benefits. Seventh, in terms of strengthening international communication capacity and promoting exchanges and mutual learning between cultures and civilizations, we must construct a knowledge and discourse system characterized by the spiritual symbols and cultural essence of Chinese civilization.
In short, this is a great era that requires us to shoulder a new cultural mission and build a modern civilization for the Chinese nation; we must not fail this era. "As skyscrapers rise across the land of China, the spiritual edifice of the Chinese nation should also stand tall." The best way to inherit history is to create new history, and the greatest tribute to human civilization is to create a new form of human civilization. Though the road is long and obstructed, persistence will lead to the destination [14]. By adhering to Xi Jinping Thought on Culture as the fundamental compliance for building a leading cultural power in the New Era, upholding the centralized and unified leadership of the Communist Party of China, and fully leveraging the subjective position and sense of ownership of the masses as the creators of spiritual wealth, we will undoubtedly have the confidence and the ability to forge new glories for Chinese culture and better fulfill our new cultural mission.
Source: Social Science Digest, Issue 2, 2024 Online Editor: Jing Mu