Tao Wenzhao: A Systematic Study of Xi Jinping's Thought on Culture
The process of theoretical innovation is not a straightforward linear progression; rather, it is like a river flowing from high mountains to the sea, evolving from a trickling stream into a surging torrent, characterized by different traits at different periods and stages. The theoretical innovation of the New Era has traversed a journey of over a decade. From the grand objective of the Chinese Dream that burst onto the scene to the "Six Must-Persists"—the scientific worldview and methodology that acts as a deep, still current—one important characteristic revealed is its continuous systematization and academic theorization. In June 2023, during a collective study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee themed "Opening a New Frontier in the Sinicization and Modernization of Marxism," Xi Jinping pointed out: "Promoting the systematization and academic theorization of theory is an inherent requirement and an important path for theoretical innovation." It is precisely against this backdrop that Xi Jinping Thought on Culture was explicitly proposed. Therefore, to comprehensively grasp the formation, development, rich connotations, and great significance of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, one must focus on conducting an academic interpretation from the perspective of systematization.
I. Xi Jinping Thought on Culture is a Major Achievement in Promoting the Systematization of the Party’s Innovative Theories
Promoting the systematization of theory is a major trend in current theoretical development. Systematization is a manifestation of both practical and theoretical maturity. From a practical perspective, practice is the source of theory. Theory is always explored in practice, accumulated in practice, summarized in practice, and tested in practice. After more than a decade of epic practice in the New Era, and standing on the foundation of the historic achievements and changes of the New Era, theoretical innovation has originated, developed, and increasingly enriched and matured within practice. From a theoretical perspective, theoretical development has its own process and logic. Theoretical innovation gathers gradually drop by drop and continuously precipitates and refines over time, moving from individual viewpoints to a basic framework, and from the creation of a system to its perfection. It undergoes a qualitative change birthed from the accumulation of quantitative changes, constantly upgrading through the mutual transformation of quality and quantity. Theoretical innovation since the 18th CPC National Congress has progressed from proposing a series of new thoughts, concepts, and strategies—such as the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, a community with a shared future for humanity, the Four Comprehensives strategic layout, and the New Development Philosophy—to the 19th CPC National Congress, which summarized the main content of the Party’s innovative theories since the start of the New Era as the "Eight Clarifications" and "Fourteen Persists." Following the summary by the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, the 20th CPC National Congress further summarized this as the "Ten Clarifications," "Fourteen Persists," and "Thirteen Aspects of Achievement," while also refining and profoundly expounding scientific methods for advancing the Party’s theoretical innovation, such as the "Two Combinations" and the "Six Must-Persists." Our Party's theoretical viewpoints have been continuously enriched and its theoretical summaries continuously deepened. Having developed to this current stage, the Party’s innovative theories in the New Era are maturing by the day, and the time is ripe for systematic advancement.
The explicit proposal of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture is a major manifestation of the systematization of the Party’s innovative theories. Xi Jinping pointed out: "Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is a complete system composed of several constituent parts, such as economic thought, the thought on the rule of law, the thought on ecological civilization, the thought on strengthening the military, and diplomatic thought, which must be further enriched and developed. As the process of practice deepens, the achievements of the Party’s theoretical innovation will become increasingly rich." From the perspective of systematization, the formation and development of the overall macro-system of theory and the micro-systems that serve as its components move in the same direction and at the same frequency. The more mature the macro-system becomes, the more it will "branch out and spread its leaves" [1], developing more micro-systems. The systematization of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is reflected in the proposal and maturation of each constituent part of this scientific theoretical system. In April 2014, Xi Jinping proposed the Holistic Approach to National Security. In 2017, the 19th CPC National Congress explicitly proposed Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and in the same year, Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military and Xi Jinping Economic Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era were proposed. In 2018, Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization and Xi Jinping Diplomatic Thought were proposed, followed by Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law in 2020. Following the 20th CPC National Congress, the National Conference on Public Communications and Cultural Work in October 2023 explicitly proposed Xi Jinping Thought on Culture. This represents the explicit proposal of a thought at this level nearly three years after the proposal of Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law, marking a new progression in the systematization of the Party’s innovative theories in the New Era. It should be noted that in June 2023, Xi Jinping proposed Important Thought on Party Building in his instructions on the Party’s construction and organizational work; in January 2024, the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection proposed General Secretary Xi Jinping’s Important Thought on the Party’s Self-Revolution. These are all significant indicators of the further advancement of the systematization of the Party’s innovative theories.
The proposal of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture further enriches and develops the theoretical system of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Particular attention must be paid to the meaning of "culture" within Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, as it is prominently linked to public communications and ideological work. Since the start of the New Era, our Party has convened three national-level conferences for the communications front. The meetings in 2013 and 2018 were called "Conferences on Public Communications and Ideological Work," whereas the 2023 meeting added the word "Cultural," becoming the "Conference on Public Communications, Ideological, and Cultural Work," which is highly significant. It was at this conference that our Party explicitly proposed Xi Jinping Thought on Culture. Culture is a foundational and permeating element within the Party’s innovative theoretical system for the New Era; elements such as the "Ten Clarifications," "Fourteen Persists," "Thirteen Aspects of Achievement," "Two Combinations," and "Six Must-Persists" are all permeated by and embedded with this factor. For instance, in the "Ten Clarifications," it is specified that the overall layout of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the "Five-Sphere Integrated Plan," which includes cultural construction. In the "Fourteen Persists," this includes persisting in the system of socialist core values. Among the "Thirteen Aspects of Achievement," there are the historic achievements made in cultural construction. Within the "Two Combinations," the "Second Combination" refers to combining the basic tenets of Marxism with fine traditional Chinese culture. Among the "Six Must-Persists," the requirement to "persist in self-confidence and self-reliance" contains the content of strengthening cultural self-confidence. It can be said that the proposal of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture is both a manifestation of the daily maturation of the Party’s cultural theory in the New Era and, undoubtedly, an advancement of the overall development and perfection of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in all aspects. Society is an organism composed of various parts, and culture is an extremely important component of this organism with special functions. It is both the "adhesive" that maintains social solidarity and harmony—possessive of cohesive power—and the "catalyst" that drives social development and progress—possessive of leading power. The guiding ideologies in various fields required for governance are coordinated and act in the same direction; the proposal of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture will inevitably provide new opportunities and nourishment for the development of Xi Jinping’s thoughts on the military, economy, ecological civilization, diplomacy, and the rule of law.
The systematization of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture is a manifestation and reflection of the comprehensive and systematic development of cultural construction in the New Era. Theoretical characteristics are a reflection of practical characteristics. The more comprehensive and mature the practice, the more complete and systematic the theory becomes. The theoretical logic contained in the Party’s innovative theories is built on the foundation of practical logic; this differs from so-called "pure theories" that are detached from a practical basis and achieve logical self-consistency through mere meditation. As for Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, it is a scientific guide for cultural construction in the New Era, but first and foremost, it is a profound summary of the practical experience of cultural construction in the New Era. The comprehensive and innovative nature of the practice of cultural construction in the New Era is reflected in the systematic and profound nature of the theory. On one hand, the practice of cultural construction in the New Era led by the Party is comprehensive. From the perspective of practical work, it covers all fields managed by the Party’s communications departments, including theoretical research, news and publishing, literary and artistic creation, ideological and political education, and the development of cultural undertakings. Although the functional departments in these fields vary, they all work in coordination under the leadership of the Party, constituting a vast working system. This systematic nature in practical work forms an important basis for the systematic nature of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture. On the other hand, the "must-persist in a systems-oriented approach" is an important component of the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, serving as a vital ideological and working method for the New Era. When guiding work in various fields, Xi Jinping places special emphasis on the word "system," always requiring the observation of things and the solving of problems from a perspective of universal connection, comprehensive systems, and evolutionary change. Xi Jinping views cultural construction in the New Era from the overall perspective of national governance, and views the practical work of various fields from the overall perspective of cultural construction, systematically and scientifically answering the fundamental questions of what kind of socialist cultural powerhouse to build and how to build it. To some extent, it can be said that the systematization of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture is the crystallization of wisdom from applying a systems-oriented approach to summarize the practical experience of cultural construction in the New Era.
II. The Diachronic Development of the Systematization of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture
The systematization of theory is a process. The formation of a theoretical system always moves from individual viewpoints to multiple viewpoints, and from the basic construction of the "four beams and eight pillars" [2] to a systematic perfection that "branches out and spreads its leaves." The formation and development of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is a process of continuous systematization, forming a complete theoretical state only after a series of major assertions were proposed in succession and after multiple systematic summaries were conducted. Similarly, the formation and development of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture is a process of continuous systematization. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, Xi Jinping has achieved a series of important innovations and breakthroughs in cultural theoretical viewpoints and proposed a series of important deployments and requirements in the layout of cultural work, enabling our Party to clarify the roadmap and task list for cultural construction in the New Era and reaching a new height in the understanding of the laws governing the construction of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics. From its inception to its systematic summary, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture has passed through several landmark stages.
Comprehensive Inception: The National Conference on Public Communications and Ideological Work in August 2013. For cultural work in any given period, every National Conference on Public Communications and Ideological Work holds comprehensive and leading instructional significance. The National Conference on Public Communications and Ideological Work in August 2013 was the first such meeting convened after Xi Jinping assumed the office of General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee. At this conference, Xi Jinping provided a profound exposition of communications and ideological work, proposing such important assertions as: "Economic construction is the Party’s central work, but ideological work is an extremely important task for the Party"; "The purpose of communications and ideological work is to consolidate the guiding position of Marxism in the ideological sphere and to consolidate the common ideological foundation for the entire Party and the people of the whole country to strive together"; and "The Party spirit and the people-centered nature have always been consistent and unified." He also proposed the important policy of "persisting in unity, stability, and encouragement, with positive publicity as the mainstay," the important task of "guiding people to have a more comprehensive and objective understanding of contemporary China and the outside world," and specific working requirements such as "the necessity of being responsible for, accountable for, and dedicated to one's territory" and "the necessity for the whole Party to take action." This conference marked the beginning of the formation of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, and the series of important viewpoints proposed at the meeting aimed at "clearing the source and rectifying the stream" [3] played a guiding role for cultural construction in the New Era.
First Summary: The National Conference on Public Communications and Ideological Work in August 2018. This was the first national conference on communications and ideological work convened by the CPC Central Committee after Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era was proposed at the 19th CPC National Congress. After more than five years of practice in the New Era, this conference comprehensively summarized the historic achievements and changes in the Party’s communications and ideological work and profoundly expounded on the missions and tasks of this work under the new situation. In particular, the "Nine Persists" summarized at this conference constitute a recognition of the laws governing communications and ideological work in the New Era. These include: "persist in the Party’s leadership over ideological work; persist in the fundamental task of the 'two consolidations' in ideological work; persist in arming the whole Party and educating the people with Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era; persist in cultivating and practicing socialist core values; persist in the idea that cultural self-confidence is a more fundamental, extensive, and profound self-confidence, and a more basic, deeper, and more lasting strength; persist in improving the reach, guidance, influence, and credibility of news and public opinion; persist in a people-centered creative orientation; persist in creating a clean and upright cyberspace; and persist in telling China's story well and spreading China's voice well." Xi Jinping pointed out: "These important thoughts are the fundamental follow-up for doing a good job in communications and ideological work; they must be persisted in over the long term and continuously developed." This was the first relatively systematic presentation of the main content and basic outline of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, serving as an important milestone in its development.
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"The regular understanding we have gained in exploring the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics" is "the greatest 'magic weapon' [4] for our success." The "Two Integrations" constitute a major theoretical innovation, playing an extremely important role in promoting the formation and development of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. In July 2021, at the ceremony marking the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, Xi Jinping explicitly proposed the "Two Integrations," emphasizing the need to "persist in integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with its fine traditional culture; use Marxism to observe, grasp, and lead the times; and continue to develop contemporary Chinese Marxism and 21st-century Marxism." In June 2023, at the Symposium on Cultural Inheritance and Development, Xi Jinping further systematically expounded the profound connotations of the "Two Integrations." He put forward a series of major propositions, such as: "The prerequisite for 'integration' is mutual compatibility"; "The result of 'integration' is mutual achievement"; "'Integration' has fortified the foundation of our path"; "'Integration' has opened up space for innovation"; and "'Integration' has consolidated cultural subjectivity." These assertions demonstrate our Party's high level of self-awareness in advancing theoretical innovation and mark a deep-level breakthrough in the Party's regular understanding of cultural construction.
Summary of Achievements: The Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee in November 2021. The Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee proposed to "promote the innovation of cultural systems and mechanisms," deploying comprehensive deepening of reforms in the cultural field; the 19th CPC National Congress proposed to "strengthen confidence in our culture and promote the prosperity of socialist culture"; the Fourth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee proposed to "uphold and improve the systems for prospering and developing advanced socialist culture to consolidate the shared ideological foundation for the concerted efforts of all people"; and the Fifth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee clarified the goal of "building a leading country in culture" [5] by 2035. The Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee used the "thirteen aspects of achievements" to highly summarize the historic achievements and transformations in the cause of the Party and the state in the New Era. Among these, the achievements in cultural construction were summarized in a panoramic fashion from theory to practice: "Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the situation in our country’s ideological field has undergone a global and fundamental change. The cultural confidence of the whole Party and the people of all ethnic groups has been significantly strengthened, and the cohesion and centripetal force of the whole society have been greatly enhanced, providing a strong ideological guarantee and powerful spiritual strength for opening up new prospects for the cause of the Party and the state in the New Era."
Explicit Proposition: The National Conference on Public Censorship, Ideological, and Cultural Work in October 2023. Compared to previous meetings of a similar nature, the name of this meeting was set as the "National Conference on Public Censorship, Ideological, and Cultural Work," adding the word "Cultural." The meeting transmitted Xi Jinping's important instructions on work regarding public censorship, ideology, and culture, requiring efforts to: "Focus on strengthening the Party's leadership over work in public censorship, ideology, and culture; focus on building a socialist ideology with strong cohesion and leadership; focus on cultivating and practicing socialist core values; focus on improving the communication, guidance, influence, and credibility of news and public opinion; focus on continuing the Chinese cultural lineage and promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture; focus on promoting the prosperity and development of cultural undertakings and cultural industries; and focus on strengthening international communication capacity building and promoting exchange and mutual learning among civilizations." This meeting concluded that "General Secretary Xi Jinping's new ideas, new viewpoints, and new assertions regarding cultural construction in the New Era possess rich connotations and profound discourse. They are the theoretical summary of the practical experience of the Party leading cultural construction in the New Era, enriching and developing Marxist cultural theory. They constitute the 'Culture Chapter' of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, forming Xi Jinping Thought on Culture." Thus, the concept of "Xi Jinping Thought on Culture" was explicitly proposed.
The formation and development of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture has undergone a journey of more than ten years, from 2012 to 2023. This includes authoritative assertions from the 19th and 20th CPC National Congresses regarding the laws of socialist cultural construction with Chinese characteristics; theoretical summaries of practical experience in New Era cultural construction from the 2013 and 2018 National Conferences on Public Censorship and Ideological Work and the 2023 National Conference on Public Censorship, Ideological, and Cultural Work; and systematic expositions on specific fields such as literature and art, news and public opinion, philosophy and social sciences, and cybersecurity and informatization from various specialized conferences. For example, in March 2014, in a speech at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France, Xi Jinping comprehensively expounded on the basic proposals for promoting exchange and mutual learning among human civilizations; in October 2014, at the Symposium on Literature and Art, he expounded on a series of fundamental and directional issues concerning the prosperity and development of our country's literature and art; in February 2016, at the Symposium on the Party's News and Public Opinion Work, he expounded on major principles and policies; in May 2016, at the Symposium on Philosophy and Social Sciences, he expounded on the major issues of accelerating the construction of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics; in April 2018, at the National Conference on Cybersecurity and Informatization, he expounded on major theoretical and practical issues of advancing the construction of a cyber-power through independent innovation; in May 2021, during the 30th collective study session of the Political Bureau of the 19th CPC Central Committee, he expounded on the major issues of accelerating the construction of a Chinese discourse and narrative system and strengthening international communication capacity; in April 2022, during an inspection of Renmin University of China, he emphasized the major issue of constructing a Chinese independent knowledge system; in May 2022, during the 39th collective study session of the Political Bureau of the 19th CPC Central Committee, he profoundy expounded on deepening the study of Chinese civilization's history to prompt the whole Party and society to enhance historical consciousness and strengthen cultural confidence; and so on. These important discourses on socialist cultural construction, rich in content and profound in connotation, have converged through diachronic development to form the broad and profound theoretical system of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture.
III. Synchronic Generalization of the Systematization of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture
Regarding the basic content of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, several periodic summaries and generalizations have been made since the 18th CPC National Congress. These include the "Nine Persists" proposed at the 2018 National Conference on Public Censorship and Ideological Work, the "Fourteen Emphases" regarding cultural construction clarified at the 2023 Symposium on Cultural Inheritance and Development, and the "Seven Focuses" proposed at the 2023 National Conference on Public Censorship, Ideological, and Cultural Work. It was on the basis of these periodic summaries that our Party explicitly proposed the concept of "Xi Jinping Thought on Culture," making a scientific and concise generalization of Xi Jinping's new ideas, viewpoints, and assertions on New Era cultural construction. As a scientific theoretical system, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture features a distinct theme, rich content, a complete structure, clear logic, and practical effectiveness. It profoundly answers fundamental questions such as what banner to raise, what path to take, what principles to uphold, and what goals to achieve in New Era cultural construction. It systematically addresses the major subject of what kind of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics to uphold and develop in the New Era, and how to do so.
In terms of theory, the innovations and breakthroughs achieved by Xi Jinping Thought on Culture mainly include: upholding the Party's cultural leadership; promoting the coordinated development of material and spiritual civilizations; practicing the fundamental requirement of the "Two Integrations"; shouldering new cultural missions; strengthening cultural confidence; cultivating and practicing socialist core values; mastering the dominance of public opinion under informationized conditions and broadly condensing social consensus; adopting a people-centered work orientation; protecting historical and cultural heritage; constructing Chinese discourse and narrative systems; and promoting exchange and mutual learning among civilizations. The important discourses on these issues constitute the "four pillars and eight beams" [6] that support this magnificent theoretical edifice.
In terms of practice, the arrangements and requirements proposed by Xi Jinping Thought on Culture for the layout of New Era cultural work mainly include: improving the work system for arming the whole Party, educating the people, and guiding practice with the Party's innovative theories; fully implementing the responsibility system for ideological work; making the education of ideals and beliefs regular and institutionalized; integrating socialist core values into the rule of law, social development, and daily life; accelerating the construction of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics; accelerating the construction of an integrated, "all-in-one" omni-media communication pattern; improving the comprehensive governance system for the internet; making the creation and production of excellent works the central link of literary and artistic work; deepening the reform of the cultural system; strengthening the excavation and interpretation of fine traditional Chinese culture; actively promoting the protection and utilization of cultural relics and the protection and transmission of cultural heritage; strengthening international communication capacity building to help Chinese culture "go global" [7] more effectively; and striving to build a public censorship, ideological, and cultural work team that is politically sound, highly capable, realistic, innovative, and able to win battles, etc. These important deployments clarify the missions and tasks of cultural construction in the New Era, providing comprehensive guidance for advancing the building of a socialist cultural power.
A special explanation is required here regarding the issue of "substance" (ti) vs. "function" (yong) [8] in Xi Jinping Thought on Culture. Clarifying the substance to attain the function (mingti dayong) and the thorough integration of substance and function (tiyong guantong) are the distinctive characteristics of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture. "Substance" refers to principles and laws—the holistic and strategic aspects; "function" refers to practice and methods—the operational and effective aspects. Of course, while "substance" and "function" can be distinguished holistically, they are difficult to separate precisely. As a pair of concepts within a system, they are inherently interconnected and interdependent. In Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, if we say that innovations and breakthroughs in cultural theoretical viewpoints are the "substance," and the deployments and requirements for the layout of cultural work are the "function," then this thought is a unity of theory and practice. It conducts theoretical innovation on the basis of practice, and in turn uses innovative theory to guide practice—this is what is meant by "clarifying the substance to attain the function" and "the thorough integration of substance and function."
As a scientific theoretical system, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture is an organic unity of its main content with the worldview and methodology contained therein. It possesses both profound viewpoints and scientific deployments, as well as correct stances and effective methods. Worldview and methodology are the deep-level elements of a theoretical system, its ideological essence, and the fundamental basis for its logical self-consistency. The "Six Must-Persists" constitute the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and they are also the stance, viewpoints, and methods running through Xi Jinping Thought on Culture. Meanwhile, the emphasis on strengthening cultural confidence, upholding openness and inclusiveness, and adhering to upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground—as highlighted by Xi Jinping at the Symposium on Cultural Inheritance and Development—constitutes the fundamental compliance for our Party to better shoulder its new cultural mission.
Xi Jinping Thought on Culture is a scientific system that is constantly unfolding and open-ended; it will surely be enriched and developed as practice deepens. Xi Jinping Thought on Culture has evolved continuously; the theoretical system formed at present is the result of theoretical development and also a sign of theoretical maturity. At the same time, it must be noted that any existing system is but a stage in the process of systematization; it is neither closed nor stagnant. We must see that Xi Jinping Thought on Culture is already a relatively complete scientific theoretical system, while also recognizing that this thought needs further enrichment and refinement from all aspects. We must continue to promote the systematization of this thought, deepen theoretical research and interpretation, and achieve a higher level of theoretical innovation in the Party's cultural work.
IV. Systematized Grasp of the Major Significance of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture
The so-called "significance" is, in essence, a "relationship." The special significance of a theory is presented through comparison with others. Looking at the small system from the large system, looking at the present from the perspective of "Big History" [9], and looking at theory from the perspective of practice—these are the key points for a systematized grasp of the major significance of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture.
First is the "Culture Chapter," meaning that Xi Jinping Thought on Culture is the cultural chapter of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. This evaluates the part within the whole. Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, along with Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military, Xi Jinping Thought on Economy, Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, and Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law, are all components of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Explicitly proposing "Xi Jinping Thought on Culture" highlights the important position of cultural theory within the Party's innovative theories. By naming it "Thought" (sixiang), it occupies a higher hierarchical rank than if it were named "Important Discourses" (zhongyao lunshu), making it appear more prominent and important. Furthermore, the term "Culture Chapter" (wenhua pian) is quite meaningful. While it carries a similar meaning to "one part," the term "Culture Chapter" more strongly emphasizes the internal, organic, and close relationship between Xi Jinping Thought on Culture and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.
Second is "Enrichment and Development," meaning that Xi Jinping Thought on Culture enriches and develops Marxist cultural theory.
This represents an evaluation situated within the broader system of Marxism. The key to grasping the profound significance of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture lies in exploring the innovative contributions it has made to the developmental history of Marxism—the greater the contribution, the greater the significance. Undeniably, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture adheres to the basic positions, viewpoints, and methods of Marxism regarding cultural issues. At the same time, Xi Jinping’s new thoughts, viewpoints, and assertions concerning cultural construction in the New Era are exceptionally profound. For instance, he emphasizes the extreme importance of upholding the Party’s leadership over culture, which provides a solid political guarantee for cultural work; he strengthens cultural confidence [10], expanding the cultural foundations of the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics; he persists in the "Two Combinations" [11], promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture; and he constructs a Chinese autonomous knowledge system, providing a reliable support for safeguarding the subjectivity of Chinese culture. Xi Jinping Thought on Culture has made numerous original contributions to Marxist cultural theory, opening up a landmark new realm.
Third, it constitutes a "powerful ideological weapon and scientific guide for action." That is to say, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture provides a powerful ideological weapon and scientific guide for action for successfully conducting publicity, ideological, and cultural work on the new journey of the New Era, and for better shouldering the new cultural mission.
The correctness and magnitude of a theory’s contribution must ultimately be tested by practice. The reason publicity, ideological, and cultural work has been able to achieve historical achievements and undergo historical transformations since the 18th CPC National Congress is, fundamentally, due to the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The current important task is to further comprehensively deepen reform and advance Chinese-path modernization, and building a leading socialist cultural power is precisely one of the most vital tasks therein. This requires us to persist in taking Xi Jinping Thought on Culture as our guide, uphold the fundamental system of Marxism’s guiding position in the realm of ideology, and improve the systems and mechanisms for developing cultural undertakings and cultural industries. We must promote cultural prosperity, enrich the people’s spiritual and cultural life, enhance the country's cultural soft power and the influence of Chinese culture, and actively demonstrate the new atmosphere and new accomplishments of the New Era.
Source: Marxism & Reality, Issue 6, 2024. Web Editor: Jing Mu.