Ouyang Xuemei: The Original Contributions and Practical Power of Xi Jinping’s Thinking on Culture
Thought is the precursor to action, and theory is the guide for practice. The National Conference on Public Communications and Cultural Work, held in Beijing in October 2023, formally proposed and systematically expounded upon Xi Jinping Thought on Culture. This possesses milestone significance in the history of the development of the Party’s public communications and cultural cause. The formation of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture reflects the profound insight and deep reflection of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core regarding China’s cultural construction and cultural work in the New Era. It enriches and develops Marxist cultural theory, constitutes the "cultural chapter" of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and marks a new height in our Party's understanding of the laws governing the development of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics. The Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has consistently placed cultural construction in an important position within state governance, opening a new path and expanding new space for culture to continuously promote the modernization of the state governance system and capacity. As a continuously unfolding and open theoretical system, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture provides a strong ideological guarantee, powerful spiritual momentum, and favorable cultural conditions for the development of the cause of the Party and the state.
Xi Jinping Thought on Culture Enriches and Develops Marxist Cultural Theory by Answering the Questions of the Times and of Culture
The proposal of the major theory of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture is established upon the foundation of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s rich and profound theoretical achievements regarding the construction of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics in the New Era. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has continuously deepened its scientific understanding of the laws of socialist cultural construction through practice. At the National Public Communications and Work Conference held on August 21, 2018, General Secretary Xi Jinping used the "Nine Persists" [1] to summarize the systematic understanding of public communications work since the 18th National Congress. At the Symposium on Cultural Inheritance and Development on June 2, 2023, he summarized the "new ideas, new perspectives, and new judgments" of cultural construction into "Fourteen Stresses" [2]. In October 2023, at the National Conference on Public Communications and Cultural Work, the General Secretary proposed the key tasks of the "Seven Efforts" [3]. "These important viewpoints are the theoretical summary of the practical experience of the Party leading cultural construction in the New Era; they are the fundamental follow-up for doing a good job in public communications and cultural work; they must be adhered to and implemented over the long term, and continuously enriched and developed."
Entering the New Era, the overall strategy for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the world’s profound changes unseen in a century are intertwined and surging. Faced with arduous and heavy tasks of reform, development, and stability, the people’s ever-growing spiritual and cultural needs, the complex situation in the ideological field, and the rapid wave of informatization, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture has profoundly answered the questions of the times and of culture through a series of new ideas, viewpoints, and judgments, composing a new chapter of Marxist cultural theory. Xi Jinping Thought on Culture covers fundamental issues such as the guiding ideology, core principles, basic experiences, missions and tasks, practical requirements, and safeguarding conditions for cultural construction in the New Era. It touches upon multiple aspects including ideological and theoretical construction, news and public opinion work, literature and art publishing, network security and informatization, cultural inheritance and development, ideological and ethical progress, the creation of spiritual civilization, and ideological and political work. It "clarifies the essence to attain practical utility" and "integrates the substance with its application" [4].
Xi Jinping Thought on Culture highlights the strategic significance of culture in the New Era. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Culture is an important component in the coordinated advancement of the 'Five-Sphere Integrated Plan' and the fourfold 'Four Comprehensives' strategy; culture is an important fulcrum for promoting high-quality development; culture is an important factor in meeting the people's ever-growing needs for a better life; and culture is an important source of strength for overcoming various risks and challenges on the road ahead." Based on a profound grasp of the significance of culture in the current era, General Secretary Xi Jinping has referred to culture as the "spiritual gene" and "unique hallmark" of a nation. As the cultural chapter of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture is rich in content, profound in thought, innovative, and significant. Its connotations are mainly reflected in the following aspects:
Adhering to the people-centered development philosophy. Socialist culture is, in essence, the people's culture. Being people-centered is the fundamental position for persisting in and developing socialist culture with Chinese characteristics in the New Era, and it is also a distinct main thread running through cultural construction in the New Era. To adhere to a people-centered creative orientation, we must take the interests, will, and voices of the people as the fundamental guide for cultural construction. We must ensure that cultural development is for the people, relies on the people, and its fruits are shared by the people, thereby enriching the people's spiritual world, enhancing their spiritual strength, and meeting their spiritual needs. News and public opinion work must "report more on the great struggles and fiery lives of the masses, and more on the advanced models and touching deeds emerging from among the people." Literary and artistic work must "take the people as the subject of expression, as the connoisseurs and judges of aesthetics, and take serving the people as the heaven-sent duty of literary and art workers," in order to "create and produce excellent works that the people love to see and hear." Public cultural services should promote "standardization and equalization," improve "coverage and applicability," and "innovatively implement cultural projects for the benefit of the people." We must strengthen the construction of cultural market and industry systems, expand the supply of high-quality cultural products, and "enhance the people's sense of cultural gain and happiness." The vast number of philosophy and social science workers "must adhere to the view that the people are the creators of history, establish the ideal of doing scholarship for the people, respect the principal position of the people, focus on the people’s practical creations, and consciously link individual academic pursuits closely with the development of the country and the nation, striving to produce more research results that can withstand the test of practice, the people, and history."
Persisting in the Party's leadership over culture. "Holding the leadership of thought is the foundation of holding all leadership." Persisting in the Party's cultural leadership is a major matter concerning the future and destiny of the Party and the state, and it is also an important guarantee for shoulder the new cultural mission in the New Era. Persisting in the Party's cultural leadership is the core essence of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture; it emphasizes the Party's commanding and guiding power in the field of public communications and culture, and it is the fundamental basis for ensuring that our country’s ideological, cultural, and ideological spheres advance along the correct path. Managing communications, ideology, and the media are important aspects of persisting in the Party’s leadership. Therefore, we must "strengthen the Party's comprehensive leadership over public communications work" and "firmly grasp the power of leadership, management, and discourse in ideological work." All work of the Party's news and public opinion media must "reflect the Party's will, reflect the Party's propositions, safeguard the authority of the Party Central Committee, safeguard the unity of the Party, and achieve loving the Party, protecting the Party, and working for the Party," insisting that politicians run newspapers, journals, stations, and news websites. The Party's leadership over cultural work is also prominently reflected in the formulation of lines, principles, and policies for cultural work, as well as in the stipulation of cultural positions and goals.
Persisting in the fundamental system of consolidating the guiding position of Marxism in the ideological sphere. Ideology concerns the flag we raise, the path we take, and national political security; we must build a socialist ideology with strong cohesive and leadership powers. Possessing the guidance of scientific Marxist theory is a distinct character and unique advantage of our Party. In adhering to the fundamental system of Marxist guidance in the ideological sphere, the most critical element is persisting in taking Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the guide, fully grasping and accurately understanding the worldview and methodology of this scientific theory, and persisting in and applying the positions, viewpoints, and methods that run through it to better guide practice.
Persisting in the "Two Combinations." Cultural confidence is an iconic component of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, which establishes the fundamental position of spiritual independence and persistence in Chinese culture. Grasping and consolidating cultural subjectivity is the enduring force for building cultural confidence. Cultural subjectivity is the foundation for culture to exercise its "leading, cohesive, shaping, and radiating power." Marxism resonates with the excellent traditional history and culture passed down in our country for thousands of years and with the values that the masses "use daily without realizing" [5], endowing Marxist theory with distinct Chinese characteristics and solidifying the historical and mass foundations for the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. "Combining the basic tenets of Marxism with China's specific realities and with fine traditional Chinese culture" has powerfully promoted the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. Xi Jinping Thought on Culture adheres to the "soul-vein" of Marxism and the "root-vein" of fine traditional Chinese culture; the combination of the two deepens the historical foundations and cultural bloodlines of contemporary Chinese Marxism and 21st-century Marxism.
Cultivating and practicing Socialist Core Values. Socialist Core Values are the concentrated expression of the contemporary Chinese spirit, condensing the common value pursuits of all Chinese people and playing a foundational role in "weaving the soul and strengthening the root." Cultivating and practicing Socialist Core Values helps us hold high the banner of ideals and beliefs, carry forward the national spirit and the spirit of the times, elevate the ideological realm of the masses, enrich their spiritual world, unite the national will with common ideals and beliefs, and stimulate Chinese strength with the Chinese spirit. We must continue the revolutionary spirit, vigorously carry forward the spiritual pedigree of Chinese Communists with the Great Founding Spirit of the Party [6] as its source, carry out education on the history of the Party, the People's Republic of China, reform and opening up, and the development of socialism, and deepen education in patriotism, collectivism, and socialism. This guides the people to strengthen their "Four Confidences" [7], enhances their faith and determination to uphold common ideals and realize common dreams, and integrates Socialist Core Values into the rule of law, social development, and daily life.
Grasping the power of initiative in public opinion under conditions of informatization. The rapid development of the internet has profoundly changed the way public opinion is generated and disseminated; whoever masters the internet holds the initiative of the times. "Cyberspace has become a new space for people's production and life, so it should also become a new space for our Party to build consensus." We must seize the precious historical opportunity of the development of informatization, maintain a high degree of political sobriety and determination to guard the network defense line, carry out network struggles, strengthen network management, and promote the "main theme" [8] online. We must firmly grasp the initiative and leadership in the public opinion field, expand the map of mainstream value influence, and take the promotion of the online main theme and the strengthening of mainstream ideology and public opinion as the top priority for mastering the initiative on the internet battlefield, continuously stimulating the powerful force of all people to unite and forge ahead.
Promoting mutual learning and exchange among civilizations. Openness and inclusiveness have always been the sources of vitality for the development of civilization and a significant hallmark of cultural confidence. Chinese civilization has been world-renowned for its openness and inclusiveness since ancient times; it has exchanged and learned from other civilizations, always remaining fresh through the absorption of diverse influences. Xi Jinping Thought on Culture is based on the broad perspective of the development of human civilization, proposing a view of civilization based on equality, mutual learning, dialogue, and inclusiveness, as well as the basic concept of "mutual learning and exchange among civilizations." It proposes promoting the common values of humanity—peace, development, equity, justice, democracy, and freedom—and implementing major propositions such as the Global Civilization Initiative. These are Chinese solutions for dealing with global problems and breaking the "clash of civilizations" theory, reflecting China's responsibility as a major power.
With a strong sense of problem-awareness, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture has profoundly perceived and scientifically answered major questions in the field of China's cultural construction in the New Era. It systematically answers major questions of the times, such as what kind of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics to build and how to build it. It is the contemporary expression and innovative development of Marxist cultural theory, pushing cultural construction in the New Era to achieve historical achievements through "rectifying the source and upholding the fundamentals while breaking new ground," and making solid strides toward building a leading socialist cultural power.
Xi Jinping Thought on Culture maps out the blueprint for building a leading socialist cultural power based on the New Era and the new journey.
"Keeping pace with the times, sharing the same fate as the people, and focusing on and answering the major issues raised by the era and practice are the secrets to Marxism's enduring vitality." As practical exploration never ends, the development of theory will never end. Xi Jinping Thought on Culture is a continuously unfolding and open ideological system. Since its formal establishment, General Secretary Xi Jinping has focused on the goal of becoming a socialist cultural powerhouse to further expand the path of cultural construction. In July 2024, the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee studied the issue of deepening the reform of cultural structures and mechanisms, making systematic deployments for the comprehensive deepening of those reforms. On October 28, the Political Bureau of the 20th CPC Central Committee held its 17th collective study session on building a cultural powerhouse. General Secretary Xi Jinping has inspected the construction of National Cultural Parks including the Grand Canal, the Great Wall, the Long March, the Yangtze River, and the Yellow River; visited historical and cultural districts, traditional rural villages, and the Maijishan Grottoes in Gansu across Shanghai, Tianjin, Changde, and Tongcheng; issued important instructions on the successful World Heritage listing of the "Beijing Central Axis"; attended the "BRICS Plus" Leaders' Dialogue and the 19th G20 Summit; participated in the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation; met with foreign guests attending the China International Friendship Conference and the 70th Anniversary of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries; attended the Conference of the China-Italy Cultural Cooperation Mechanism and the China-Italy University Rectors' Dialogue; published signed articles in foreign media during overseas visits; and sent congratulatory letters to the World Conference on China Studies·Shanghai Forum, the inaugural Liangzhu Forum, the first World Congress of Classics, and the 2024 World Chinese Language Conference. All of these have creatively responded to new questions in the cultural development of China and the world, further developing Xi Jinping Thought on Culture.
First, deepening the reform of cultural structures and mechanisms to stimulate the cultural innovation and creativity of the whole nation. The Decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Further Comprehensively Deepening Reform and Advancing Chinese-path Modernization (hereinafter referred to as the "Decision"), deliberated and adopted at the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, clarified that the new task and general goal of reforming the cultural system is to focus on building a socialist cultural powerhouse. Innovation and creativity are the lifeblood of culture and the source of vitality for cultural prosperity. Deepening the reform of cultural structures and mechanisms must take the stimulation of the innovation and creativity of the entire nation as the central link. It is necessary to accelerate the improvement of cultural management systems and production/operation mechanisms that follow the laws of cultural development and favor the stimulation of vitality. We must create a positive, healthy, relaxed, and harmonious atmosphere, allowing all sources of cultural creation to flow fully and all vital forces of cultural creation to burst forth continuously. The Decision proposed deepening the reform of cultural structures and mechanisms and improving the cultural institutional system across four areas: perfecting the responsibility system for ideological work, optimizing the mechanism for providing cultural services and products, improving the comprehensive integrated online governance system, and building a more effective international communication system.
Second, technological empowerment driving new directions for reforming cultural structures and mechanisms. Adapting to practical developments, highlighting a problem-oriented approach, and promoting innovation from a new starting point are the driving forces behind the development of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture. Currently, a prominent problem facing cultural construction is the impact of new technologies. It is an urgent priority to accelerate adaptation to the rapid development of information technology, balance the forces of content and technology, coordinate the online and offline spheres, integrate domestic and international markets, and enhance cultural influence. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee placed technological innovation at the core, pointing the way for deepening the reform of cultural structures and mechanisms.
"Accelerating adaptation to the rapid development of information technology" involves enhancing governance capabilities in the cultural field under informationized conditions. The Decision proposed "forming a mechanism for the differentiated and precise implementation of online ideological and moral education" and specially planned the "improvement of the comprehensive integrated online governance system" in Article 40. This includes perfecting development and management mechanisms for generative AI, strengthening the construction of the rule of law in cyberspace, improving long-term mechanisms for ecological governance of the network, and refining the network protection system for minors. This encompasses both the management of online content and focus on the development of the latest generative AI technologies; it involves both emergency response to online public opinion and long-term governance of the political ecosystem [9] online, strengthening the "systemic" and "synergistic" nature of the reform. At the same time, facing the new industries, modes, and drivers catalyzed by the rapid development of information technology, the Decision also proposed a "promotion of development" mindset, requiring the "exploration of effective mechanisms for the integration of culture and technology, and the accelerated development of new types of cultural business formats." Building a new ecosystem for the integrated development of culture and technology is a major goal of the reform. In accordance with the Decision’s requirements for nurturing new business formats in the digital economy and new quality productive forces, the path for culture-technology integration lies in promoting revolutionary technological breakthroughs, innovative allocation of production factors, and deep industrial transformation and upgrading. This involves promoting the optimized combination and leapfrog updating of laborers, instruments of labor, and objects of labor, and developing cultural productive forces characterized by high technology, high efficiency, and high quality. During the 17th collective study of the Political Bureau of the 20th CPC Central Committee, General Secretary Xi Jinping further emphasized: "Achieve the digital empowerment and informational transformation of cultural construction, and transform the advantages of cultural resources into advantages for cultural development."
Third, continuing the Chinese cultural lineage through creative transformation and innovative development. We must promote the holistic and systematic protection and unified supervision of cultural heritage, improve the institutional mechanisms for the protection and inheritance of cultural heritage, accelerate the perfection of the legal and regulatory system, and earnestly improve the capacity and level of heritage protection.
In November 2024, during an inspection in Hubei, General Secretary Xi Jinping proposed: "We must continue to strengthen archaeological research, improve the level of cultural relic protection, provide solid support for promoting fine traditional Chinese culture and enhancing cultural confidence, so that the treasures of Chinese civilization endure forever to benefit future generations, and inspire people to continuously enhance their sense of national pride and self-confidence." General Secretary Xi Jinping particularly emphasized drawing experience in governance [10] from traditional cultural resources, stating: "Actively promote the concept of integrity and models of probity to foster a wholesome atmosphere of honoring integrity and rejecting corruption." "In the financial system, we must vigorously promote fine traditional Chinese culture, adhering to honesty and trustworthiness, seeking profit through righteousness [11], maintaining stability and prudence, upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground, and complying with laws and regulations." "The Six-Foot Alley [12] embodies the historical wisdom of our ancestors in resolving conflicts. It should be used as an educational site for promoting fine traditional Chinese culture, giving play to the traditional Chinese virtues of courtesy, deference, and 'harmony is precious' [13], so as to create a harmonious social environment where people live and work in peace."
Fourth, forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation. Chinese civilization is a plurality within a unity; the various ethnic groups on Chinese soil have engaged in extensive interaction, exchange, and integration [14]. The sense of community for the Chinese nation is the foundation of ethnic unity.
In 2022, during an inspection in Xinjiang, General Secretary Xi Jinping required: "Fully excavate and effectively utilize historical facts, archaeological artifacts, and cultural remains of the interactions between various ethnic groups in Xinjiang. Clearly explain that Xinjiang has been an inseparable part of our country and a multi-ethnic inhabited area since ancient times, and that the various ethnic groups in Xinjiang are important members of the big family of the Chinese nation, connected by blood and sharing a common destiny." The bedrock and foundation for forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation is identification with Chinese culture. During the 9th collective study of the Political Bureau of the 20th CPC Central Committee on October 27, 2023, General Secretary Xi Jinping discussed the construction of a shared spiritual home for the Chinese nation and the building of a theoretical system for the community for the Chinese nation. Throughout 2024, General Secretary Xi Jinping repeatedly emphasized this concept. On April 10, while meeting with Ma Ying-jeou [15] and his delegation, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Chinese culture is the spiritual lifeblood of the Chinese nation and the shared spiritual home of compatriots on both sides of the Strait. Compatriots on both sides should strengthen their confidence in Chinese culture, consciously be the guardians, inheritors, and promoters of Chinese culture, enhance the sense of belonging, identity, and honor of the Chinese nation, and forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation." During his inspection of the Yungang Grottoes, General Secretary Xi Jinping clearly stated: "We must deeply excavate the historical connotations of interaction, exchange, and integration among various ethnic groups contained in the Yungang Grottoes, and enhance the sense of community for the Chinese nation." On September 27, in his speech at the national commendation conference for ethnic unity and progress, General Secretary Xi Jinping explained this thought in depth. He pointed out: "The cultural commonality among all ethnic groups is the cultural gene of the Chinese nation's pluralistic-integrated civilizational pattern." "History fully proves that the brilliant Chinese culture was created by all ethnic groups together. To create new glories for socialist culture, we must continuously enhance identity with Chinese culture and promote mutual learning and integration among the cultures of all ethnic groups." "Focus on building a shared spiritual home for the Chinese nation to provide powerful spiritual and cultural support for advancing the building of the community for the Chinese nation." Only in this way can we promote the Chinese nation toward a community with a shared future characterized by greater inclusivity and stronger cohesion.
Fifth, developing the cultural tourism industry into a pillar industry. Culture is the soul of tourism, and tourism is the carrier of culture. General Secretary Xi Jinping has profoundly grasped the laws and characteristics of cultural construction and tourism development, promoting the deep integration of culture and tourism on a wider scale and at a higher level. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping has attached great importance to cultural and tourism work, delivering many important speeches and issuing vital instructions, making strategic deployments for the development of the cultural tourism industry, and providing fundamental guidance for our cultural and tourism work in the New Era.
In March 2024, during an inspection in Hunan, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "The diverse and colorful local characteristic traditional cultures collectively constitute the splendid Chinese civilization and also boost economic and social development." In June 2024, during an inspection in Ningxia, he encouraged the active development of characteristic tourism and all-for-one tourism [16]. In September and October 2024, during inspections in Gansu, Fujian, and Anhui, he emphasized the need to extensively utilize rich cultural resources to build the cultural tourism industry into a pillar industry. This is a goal-oriented requirement for the integrated development of culture and tourism, and it is also a profound summary of the experience gained since the establishment of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China in 2018, which initiated the integration of culture and tourism. By making the cultural tourism industry an important engine for stimulating consumption and driving economic growth, tourism becomes a process through which people perceive Chinese culture and enhance cultural confidence—a livelihoods industry and a "happiness industry."
Sixth, promoting the inheritance and development of human civilization. Classical civilizations are like a constellation of stars, continuously nourishing and inspiring later generations.
On November 7, 2024, President Xi Jinping pointed out in his congratulatory letter to the first World Congress of Classics: "China is actively committed to promoting the inheritance and development of civilizations, strengthening international people-to-people exchanges, promoting global civilizational dialogue, and focusing on seeking wisdom and drawing nutrition from different civilizations. We are willing to work with all parties to practice the Global Civilization Initiative and join hands to resolve the various challenges facing humanity together, promoting the development and progress of human civilization." On November 8, during talks with Italian President Mattarella, President Xi Jinping emphasized: "Today’s world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation. As two ancient civilizations, China and Italy should take action to jointly advocate 'cultivating people through culture' (yǐ wén huà rén) and 'nourishing the self through virtue' (yǐ dé rùn shēn), observe the fate of humanity with broad humanistic sentiment, transcend barriers and conflicts with an inclusive mind, and gather synergy for development with the vision of 'harmony and coexistence' (hé hé gòng shēng), letting the lighthouse of civilization illuminate the correct path for humanity's progress." He also explicitly called for the implementation of a new round of the executive plan for cultural cooperation. President Xi Jinping advocates for building a "Humanistic BRICS" and being an advocate for the coexistence of civilizations in harmony. In talks with foreign heads of state, he has called for accelerating the "two-way journey" of people-to-people exchanges. President Xi Jinping proposed building a more equal and inclusive cyberspace. By strengthening online exchange and dialogue, we can promote mutual understanding and affinity among peoples of all countries, promote the inclusive coexistence of different civilizations, and better promote the shared values of all humanity. We must strengthen the construction of online civilization, promote the production and dissemination of high-quality online cultural products, fully display the outstanding achievements of human civilization, actively promote the inheritance and development of civilization, and jointly build an online spiritual home.
We must implement the project for the inheritance and development of fine traditional Chinese culture, research and excavate the excellent genes and contemporary value of traditional Chinese culture, promote the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture, prosper and develop advanced socialist culture, and construct and utilize an expressive system of Chinese cultural characteristics, the Chinese national spirit, and China's national image to continuously enhance the Chinese cultural identity of people of all ethnic groups.
Xi Jinping Thought on Culture Leads the Changes of the Era, Demonstrating the Power of Truth and Great Practical Might In 2024, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has anchored the strategic goal of building a cultural powerhouse by 2035. Adhering to Marxism as the fundamental guiding ideology and rooted in the profound Chinese civilization, it follows the trend of information technology development, continuously developing new era socialist culture with Chinese characteristics that possesses strong ideological leadership, spiritual cohesion, value appeal, and international influence, while continuously enhancing the people's spiritual strength and solidifying the cultural bedrock for building a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation.
First, promoting the Party's innovative theories to "fly into the homes of ordinary people." In the New Era, we must persist in ensuring that for every step forward in theoretical innovation, theoretical armament follows. We must unswervingly study, publicize, and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and unswervingly use it to arm our minds, guide practice, and promote work. We must consolidate the responsibility system for ideological work and seize upon the role of leading cadres...
The "key few" [17] must ensure the solid and effective implementation of theoretical study for Party committee (党组) center groups and cadre education training, fostering a rigorous atmosphere for learning. We must establish a multi-dimensional matrix for the research, publicity, and interpretation of Marxist theory, persisting in "reading the original works, studying the original texts, and grasping the original principles." Simultaneously, we should utilize omnimedia reporting methods—including text, diagrams, audio-video, and live broadcasts—to disseminate the Party's innovative theories. By integrating these vivid ideas with local live practices, we enhance the practical appeal of innovative theory, realizing a combination of "universal education" and "targeted strategies for different groups." This ensures the Party's ideas take root at the grassroots level, reaching the masses extensively and deeply, thereby consolidating the Party’s governing foundation and mass foundation ideologically, spiritually, and culturally.
Second, the spiritual and cultural lives of the people have been enriched. Cultural benefits for the people have reached millions of households. National expenditures on culture and tourism have continuously increased and shifted toward the grassroots; these expenditures grew from 48.01 billion RMB in 2012 to 128.04 billion RMB in 2023, an average annual growth of 9.3%. By the end of 2023, there were 3,246 public libraries nationwide with a total collection of 1.44 billion volumes, a year-on-year increase of 5.6%. The total number of registered museums nationwide grew from 3,866 in 2012 to 6,833 in 2023. Since the 13th Five-Year Plan [18], China has added a new museum every two days on average, achieving a ratio of one museum per 250,000 people; 268 new museums were registered in 2023 alone. Public service standards at museums and cultural relic protection units have improved, shifting from being "collection-centered" to "public service-centered." New exhibition methods have been innovated to tell vivid stories of cultural relics and strengthen the public popularization of archaeological knowledge and research results. This has greatly enhanced the people's self-confidence and pride, creating a "museum craze" and a "study-tour craze." Many people now "travel to a city just for a museum," with visitor numbers increasing from 564 million in 2012 to 1.29 billion in 2023. In 2023, various intangible cultural heritage protection institutions nationwide held 82,000 performances (up 41.5% year-on-year), 18,000 folk activities (up 30.4%), and 22,000 exhibitions (up 20.1%), all record highs. Literary and artistic works have explored and innovated boldly in themes, genres, content, and style, conveying truth, goodness, and beauty while promoting mainstream values. TV dramas cover a rich array of subjects, with realistic, historical, costume, suspense, and sci-fi works gaining widespread popularity. The rise of short video platforms has enabled social media to play an important role in promotion and audience interaction, boosting the speed and influence of a series' dissemination. The realist tradition of literary and artistic works has been inherited, focusing on reality, the era, and the people, recounting the joys and sorrows of life to soothe the audience's soul and trigger reflections on life, society, and the world.
Third, the protection and inheritance of cultural heritage have been vigorously advanced. The "archaeology first, then transfer" policy—whereby archaeological investigation, prospecting, and excavation precede the transfer of land for construction—has been meticulously implemented in 24 provinces. Large-scale ruins and relic-dense areas are gradually being incorporated into the territorial spatial planning and control system. The problems of "mass demolition and mass construction" [19] in famous historical and cultural cities have been resolutely corrected. During protection and renewal, old districts have strengthened their urban culture and local character, improving urban development quality and spatial aesthetics. Various cultural heritage resources have been comprehensively cataloged. During the 13th Five-Year Plan period, the first national census of movable cultural relics registered 108 million items (sets) of state-owned movable relics. The National Cultural Heritage Administration organized a special survey of grotto temples nationwide, clarifying the distribution and preservation status of 2,155 grottoes and 3,831 cliff statues. A list of key sections of the Great Wall was published, and surveys of cultural heritage resources in the Yellow River and Yangtze River basins were completed. Currently, the Fourth National Cultural Relics Census is underway to build a resource management system that combines comprehensive census-taking, special investigations, spatial control, and dynamic monitoring. The "National Territorial Spatial Planning Outline (2021–2035)" strengthens spatial control requirements for cultural relic resources, realizing "one map" management to make the map of cultural resources clearer and more complete. Traditional village protection projects have been implemented, and 8,155 traditional villages have been included in the protection list, with 539,000 historical buildings and traditional dwellings protected. The construction of National Cultural Parks has been vigorously promoted, comprehensively improving the level of relic utilization and heritage inheritance; irrigation engineering heritage and industrial heritage have also been protected and utilized. With the rapid expansion of cultural heritage scale and the enrichment of heritage types, cultural heritage protection in the New Era reflects a shift from isolated points to broad surfaces, from rescue-oriented protection to systematic protection, and from protecting the object itself to protecting the overall surrounding environment. This protects the natural environment and cultural ecology associated with cultural heritage, fundamentally improving preservation conditions. In the New Era, concepts, systems, and technologies for protection have been innovated, expanding the fields of protection and strengthening the government's primary responsibility, while encouraging social and individual participation through legislation. This has fostered a protection awareness across society, forming a grand pattern of protection characterized by government leadership, department coordination, and social participation, ensuring the outstanding value, authenticity, and integrity of cultural heritage are passed down forever. With the inclusion of the "Beijing Central Axis: A Masterpiece of the Ideal Chinese Capital Order" in the World Heritage List, China’s total number of World Heritage sites has reached 59, and 43 items are on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage lists. Seven Chinese museums, including the National Museum of China and the Palace Museum (Suzhou), rank among the global top 20. China has become a veritable power in world cultural heritage, acting as a supporter, promoter, and practitioner of the World Heritage Convention.
Fourth, cultural resource advantages are being continuously transformed into cultural development advantages. To adapt to growing digital technologies, the newly revised "Law of the People's Republic of China on the Protection of Cultural Relics" stipulates: "The state shall strengthen the informatization of cultural relic protection, encourage digital work in protection, and promote the digital collection, display, and utilization of relic resources." This brings new audio-visual artistic experiences to consumers. For example, Tencent and the Dunhuang Academy launched the "Digital Library Cave" as a trans-temporal participatory museum, along with "Digital Patrons," the "Dunhuang Tour" mini-program, and Dunhuang animated dramas. Through innovative digital products, they have pushed more relic resources "online" and "into the cloud," exploring multiple paths to popularize Dunhuang culture among the public. Creative cultural industries have become a "standard feature" for museums. According to incomplete statistics, the Palace Museum's creative products cover calligraphy and painting, beauty products, clothing, and cultural derivatives; its 2016 sales reached 1 billion RMB. By 2023, the annual operating turnover of the Sanxingdui Museum, Shanghai Museum, and National Museum of China also exceeded 100 million RMB, with creative cultural income accounting for two-thirds or more of total revenue for some large museums.
Cultural heritage has become a source of creation. Cultural variety shows skillfully blend relics, archaeology, literature, art, classics, and folk customs with television entertainment for omnimedia dissemination, finding a new path for the inheritance and spread of Chinese cultural heritage. This makes heritage accessible to the masses and ignites a "national style" (国风) craze and "China-trend" (国潮) fashion [20]. For instance, the "Chinese Festivals" series triggered a viewership surge, with total dissemination exceeding 140 billion person-times. Intangible Cultural Heritage in China reached over 7.54 billion views and interactions. Cultural heritage has become a major subject for films, dance dramas, web series, online literature, games, animation, and short videos. Incomplete statistics show that from 2012 to September 2024, about 200 Chinese dance dramas premiered, with traditional culture themes accounting for half of all subjects and box office revenue. Cultural heritage is the core resource and support for the culture-tourism industry. The state encourages the provision of high-quality study-tour resources in fields like culture, history, art, and science, promoting high-quality development in tourism. In 2023, 55 national archaeological site parks received over 67 million visitors (up 135% year-on-year), generating 4.475 billion RMB in tourism consumption revenue (up 1.176 billion RMB). Data shows the output value of China's rural tourism exceeded 900 billion RMB in 2023. Rural tourism has become an important business format for rural development, playing a positive driving role. The fusion of cultural heritage with modern lifestyles has formed "national style" and "China-trend"; wearing Hanfu [21], listening to folk music, watching cultural shows, and visiting cultural sites have become new consumption trends.
Fifth, the digital cultural industry has become an important force in developing new quality productive forces. Driven by the national cultural digitalization strategy and policies, China's digital cultural industry has continued to expand in scale and quality. New cultural formats characterized by digitalization, networking, and intelligence have developed rapidly, becoming a core component of the digital economy and contributing increasingly to economic growth. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the operating revenue of 16 cultural sub-sectors with distinct "new format" characteristics soared from 1.99 trillion RMB in 2019 to 5.24 trillion RMB in 2023, a 2.6-fold increase. In the first three quarters of 2024, cultural enterprises above a designated size achieved operating revenue of 9.9668 trillion RMB, up 5.9% year-on-year. Of this, the 16 new format sub-sectors achieved revenue of 4.1616 trillion RMB, up 10.0%. Internet-related services grew from 1.597 trillion RMB in 2020 to 2.777 trillion RMB in 2023, a 73.9% increase. In 2023, web literature, online games, and film/TV industries worked together to form the "New Three" [22] of cultural exports. In 2024, the domestic game Black Myth: Wukong perfectly integrated traditional Chinese culture with modern gaming technology, setting a record for domestic games with over 4.5 million copies sold and 15 billion RMB in revenue on its first day, driving filming locations and tourist spots in the game to become popular destinations.
Sixth, flourishing the world’s "garden of civilizations" and contributing to human progress. China actively participates in global governance and the supply of public goods in the field of cultural heritage. China was among the first contributors and board members of the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas (ALIPH). China has been elected multiple times to the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO, participating in the formulation and revision of the Operational Directives for the Convention. China has co-hosted eight editions of the Chengdu International Heritage Festival and cooperatively established the International Training Center for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region in Beijing. China has become a backbone force in international heritage cooperation and governance. In April 2023, the Alliance for Cultural Heritage in Asia was launched, with the number of member, partner, and observer states reaching 20. China has actively carried out foreign aid projects for cultural relic protection, deepening intergovernmental exchanges. China has signed bilateral agreements or MoUs with multiple countries, conducted over 40 joint archaeological projects in more than 20 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and America, and collaborated on 11 restoration projects with six neighboring countries. Based on the established Silk Road international alliances for theaters, arts festivals, museums, art galleries, and libraries, the Silk Road Tourism Cities Alliance was formed. The "Silk Road" Chinese Government Scholarship program continues to be implemented. Hosting the "Liangzhu Forum" and the World Conference on Classics, and establishing the Chinese Institute of Classical Civilization in Athens, has built new platforms for civilizational exchange and mutual learning. These efforts conduct international academic exchange under the light of equality, mutual learning, and inclusiveness, demonstrating the path toward harmony through the intersection and integration of civilizations.
Source: Qiushi, Issue 23, 2024 Online Editor: Jing Mu