Zhang Hao: The Theoretical Themes, System, and Characteristics of Xi Jinping’s Cultural Thought

The formation of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture has effectively promoted the innovative development of Marxist cultural theory and serves as an important milestone in our country’s cultural construction. At present, to deeply study, implement, further research, and interpret Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, we must correctly grasp its theoretical theme, theoretical system, and theoretical qualities. Only in this way can we profoundly comprehend its core tenets, spiritual essence, rich connotations, and practical requirements, using them to guide practice and promote work as we compose a new chapter in the building of a cultural powerhouse ^[1] on the new journey of the New Era.

I. The Theoretical Theme of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture

The theoretical theme constitutes the fundamental problem a theoretical system seeks to resolve; it is the starting point and core, serving as the center and general program that holds a commanding position. A theoretical system is the expansion and deepening of its theoretical theme, and the series of interconnected viewpoints formed around this theme constitute the main content of the system. Answering the contemporary questions of "what kind of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics should be persisted in and developed in the New Era" and "how to persist in and develop socialist culture with Chinese characteristics" is the theoretical theme of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture. It is around this theoretical theme that Xi Jinping Thought on Culture has been constructed.

(1) Creatively answering "what kind of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics should be persisted in and developed in the New Era"

Regarding the question of the ideal state of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics at the current stage, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture provides answers through the dimensions of leadership, guiding ideology, main content, development path, and cultural position.

First, from the perspective of leadership, the socialist culture with Chinese characteristics must take the Communist Party of China (CPC) as its leading force. The Party's leadership over cultural construction is both a necessary choice of history and a strong calling of the times; it is also an inherent requirement for a Marxist party. Only by adhering to the Party's leadership can we firmly establish the guiding position of Marxism in the ideological field amidst diverse cultural trends, ensuring that cultural construction always serves the people and the cause of socialism, and that cultural undertakings always align with the fundamental interests of the state and the people. "Virtue shown in government is like the North Star, which keeps its place while all the other stars revolve around it." ^[2] In cultural construction, the Party's leadership is like the North Star, playing a key role in guiding direction and coalescing strength. Only by adhering to the Party's leadership and consolidating the Party’s cultural leadership power ^[3] can we anchor the correct direction for cultural construction and gather powerful spiritual strength for the nation’s united struggle.

Second, from the perspective of guiding ideology, the culture must take Marxism as its guiding ideology. Marxism is the ideological and spiritual banner for the development of the Party and the state’s cause, and the soul of socialist ideology. Only by adhering to the guiding position of this scientific theoretical system in the ideological field can we ensure the CPC’s ideological unity, political solidarity, and consistency of action, thereby leading socialist China to always advance in the right direction. On this fundamental issue, we must be unwavering and resolute. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era fully demonstrates the powerful vitality of Marxism; it is contemporary Chinese Marxism and 21st-century Marxism. Currently, the persistence in and development of this scientific theoretical system is the true persistence in and development of Marxism.

Third, from the perspective of main content, there must be clear core substance. Xi Jinping pointed out: "Socialist culture with Chinese characteristics is derived from the fine traditional Chinese culture nurtured by the Chinese nation’s 5,000-year history of civilization; it is fused into the revolutionary culture and advanced socialist culture created by the people under the Party’s leadership during the periods of revolution, construction, and reform; and it is rooted in the great practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics." Among these, the traditional culture nurtured over 5,000 years carries the genes and bloodline of the Chinese nation and is the fertile cultural soil in which socialism with Chinese characteristics is rooted. Revolutionary culture, nurtured during the great struggles of the Party and the people, was a powerful weapon for the victory of the Chinese revolution and serves as spiritual nourishment for socialist culture with Chinese characteristics. Advanced socialist culture—which concentrates the national spirit centered on patriotism and the spirit of the times centered on reform and innovation—is itself the culture created by the Party in uniting and leading the people to advance the great practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Thus, it constitutes an integral part of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics.

Fourth, from the perspective of the development path, we must unswervingly follow the path of socialist cultural development with Chinese characteristics. This phrase is the clear answer given by the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core when facing the arduous tasks of cultural construction in the New Era. Chinese civilization possesses prominent continuity; it has remained unbroken for over 5,000 years ^[4] and has endured through numerous hardships. This fundamentally determines that the Chinese nation must walk its own path. This path, as manifested in cultural development, is the path of socialist cultural development with Chinese characteristics. This path is the unity of continuing the historical lineage and the renewal and creation of civilization. It reveals the inherent laws of cultural inheritance and development and is the "broad road" ^[5] toward advancing cultural self-confidence and self-strength. Since the beginning of the New Era, the CPC has united and led the people of all ethnic groups in following this path, driving the construction of a socialist cultural powerhouse to make solid strides and achieve historical accomplishments. This fully proves it is the only correct path for promoting the prosperity of socialist culture and building a cultural powerhouse.

Fifth, from the perspective of the cultural position, we must always adhere to the "people’s position." The idea that the people create history is a basic principle of historical materialism. Putting the people first is the fundamental stance of socialism with Chinese characteristics and is a main thread running through cultural construction. Socialist culture with Chinese characteristics always insists on being "for the people and relying on the people," profoundly answering the key questions of for whom cultural construction is intended, upon whom it relies, and by whom its fruits are shared. This demonstrates the CPC’s profound understanding of the people’s identity and role as the creators of history and its correct grasp of the laws of human social evolution. Since the 18th National Congress, the CPC has consistently maintained the fundamental stance of putting the people first, unifying the tasks of publicizing, educating, guiding, and serving the masses with the goals of stimulating their vitality and creativity and meeting their spiritual and cultural needs, thereby providing an inexhaustible source of power for cultural development.

(2) Creatively answering "how to persist in and develop socialist culture with Chinese characteristics in the New Era"

How do we work toward achieving the ideal state of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics? Xi Jinping Thought on Culture provides answers through the dimensions of general approach, strategic deployment, and specific measures.

First, from the general approach, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture profoundly answers the fundamental question of how China’s cultural construction should "raise the banner and orient the direction" ^[6] and arrange its layout. It cleared the ideological fog, anchored the struggle goals, and drew a grand blueprint for the New Era. This thought consistently upholds the fundamental status of Marxism as the guiding ideology, unswervingly follows the path of socialist cultural development with Chinese characteristics, and adheres to principles such as cultural self-confidence, upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground, and openness and inclusiveness. It explicitly requires consciously shoulder the cultural mission of the New Era to promote cultural prosperity and build a cultural powerhouse. These top-level designs reflect the deepening of our Party’s understanding and grasp of the laws of cultural construction.

Second, from the strategic deployment, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture not only proposes the task of "crossing the river" in the field of cultural construction but also responds to the questions of how to build the "bridge" and the "boat." ^[7] This is prominently expressed in Xi Jinping’s grasp of the inevitable trends of cultural construction through the continuity of history, reality, and the future. He has coordinates short-, medium-, and long-term goals, making strategic deployments based on long-term development and current realities. Xi Jinping has keenly perceived the new situations and tasks on the road ahead. He has planned strategic deployments around: consolidating the Party's cultural leadership; building socialist ideology with strong cohesion and leadership; stimulating the cultural innovation and creativity of the whole nation; cultivating and practicing socialist core values; promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture; coordinately promoting the prosperity of cultural undertakings and cultural industries; fostering a clean and upright online opinion space; constructing an independent knowledge system for Chinese philosophy and social sciences; building a Chinese system of discourse and narrative; and promoting mutual learning between human civilizations. These deployments demonstrate a clear problem-oriented and practice-oriented approach, reflecting the consistency of goals and paths, the fusion of the macro and specific, and the unity of the whole and the key parts. They have become a scientific guide for action.

Third, from the perspective of specific measures, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture is rich and profound, containing both high-level theoretical generalizations and specific implementation strategies. It proposes effective measures for advancing cultural construction across various specific fields. For example, in the field of theoretical work, it emphasizes strengthening theoretical arming ^[8] through multiple forms and channels, using Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to "mold the soul and educate the person." In the field of ideology, it emphasizes the full implementation of the responsibility system for ideological work and adhering to the fundamental system of Marxist guidance. In the field of ideals and beliefs, it emphasizes promoting the normalization and institutionalization of education in ideals and beliefs to supplement the "calcium" in the spirit of Communists. ^[9] Regarding core values, it emphasizes ensuring that socialist core values are "as ubiquitous as the air" and take root throughout society. In philosophy and social sciences, it emphasizes doing scholarship "rooted in the soil of China" and building an independent knowledge system. In the field of online opinion, it emphasizes fostering a healthy, positive, and upward-tending online culture. In art and literature, it emphasizes a people-centered creation orientation to create works worthy of the times. In news and media, it proposes respecting the laws of communication, innovating methods, and improving the Party’s news media's power to disseminate, guide, influence, and gain public trust. In cultural system reform, it emphasizes improving management and production mechanisms and promoting supply-side structural reform in the cultural field. In tourism, it proposes improving the modern tourism system and high-quality development. In cultural heritage, it emphasizes archaeological work and the protection of artifacts. In international communication, it emphasizes building China's narrative system to "tell China's stories well." Finally, in team building, it emphasizes cultivating a contingent of publicity and cultural cadres who are "politically sound, highly capable, realistic and innovative, and able to win battles." These specific measures condense the CPC’s summary of experience in cultural construction across various historical periods, especially the New Era, and represent the realization of the objective laws underlying these successful practices.

In short, "what kind of culture to persist in" provides the target and direction, while "how to do it" provides the guide for action. The "what" and the "how" are highly dialectically unified; they interact and develop in coordination, together constituting the theoretical theme of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture.

II. The Theoretical System of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture

"Xi Jinping Thought on Culture comprehensively expounds upon the status, role, goals, tasks, principles, strategic paths, and practical requirements of cultural construction in the New Era," constituting a scientific theoretical system that is systematic, logically rigorous, internally unified, and rich in connotation.

(1) Theory of Status and Role

Culture is the soul of a country and a nation. Cultural construction holds an extremely important status and role within the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Xi Jinping Thought on Culture expounds on this from different dimensions, emphasizing the extreme importance of strengthening cultural construction.

First, expounding the status and role of culture from the dimension of the coordinated development of material and spiritual civilizations. Chinese-path modernization is a modernization in which material and spiritual civilizations develop in coordination; it requires the accumulation of material civilization, but even more so the sublimation of spiritual civilization. Throughout the history of human social development, those strong nations or peoples not only created powerful material civilizations but also led the development of the spiritual civilization of their respective eras. Xi Jinping has pointed out: "Socialism with Chinese characteristics is a socialism of the comprehensive development of material and spiritual civilizations. A nation without spiritual strength can hardly stand on its own or strengthen itself, and a cause without cultural support can hardly be sustained or last long." These two civilizations, the material and the spiritual, are the crystallization of all the fruits of humanity’s efforts to understand and transform the world. Material civilization plays a foundational role in the entire system of human social civilization, exerting a constraining and decisive effect on spiritual civilization; simultaneously, spiritual civilization exerts a counter-reaction ^[10] upon material civilization. Material and spiritual civilizations are conditions for each other and goals for each other; they promote one another and neither can be neglected. The development of material civilization requires a corresponding elevation of spiritual civilization, while the development of spiritual civilization also injects powerful impetus into the construction of material civilization. Culture permeates the entire process and all aspects of modernization, playing a subtle and influential role in economic development, political civilization, and social harmony. Advancing Chinese-path modernization is the result of the balanced development and mutual reinforcement of material and spiritual civilizations, and it is a developmental process in which the two civilizations "fly wing to wing." One must persist in "grasping with both hands, where both hands must be tough," ^[11] correctly handle the relationship between the two civilizations, and ensure that the construction of spiritual civilization permeates the entire process of Chinese-path modernization and infiltrates all aspects of social life. This ensures the coordinated development of the two civilizations and solidifies the ideological foundation for the united struggle of the masses, their proactive spirit of exploration and progress, and their pursuit of healthy and upward-reaching values.

Second, expounding the status and role of culture from the dimension of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Culture is an important force for the survival and development of a nation. The strength of a country or a people is always supported by cultural prosperity. Throughout the course of human development, whether it be a leap in society or the sublimation of a civilization, cultural progress is an important prerequisite. Realizing national rejuvenation is also inseparable from spiritual inspiration and motivation. Only a nation that is spiritually wealthy can stand firm amidst the changing clouds and winds of history and the tides of the era. History and practice have repeatedly confirmed that any nation that abandons its own history and culture "cannot stand up" and may fall into the abyss of decline or even extinction. Throughout the ages, the reason the Chinese nation has possessed a world-renowned status and influence, standing tall among the forest of the world's nations, is not because of militarism or foreign expansion, but because of the powerful appeal and attraction of Chinese culture. It is precisely the distinct character of Chinese culture—upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground—that has endowed the Chinese nation with firm self-confidence, allowing all Chinese sons and daughters to display a spirited and upward-looking outlook, nurturing shared emotions, spirit, and ideals through the changing years. The historic task of achieving national rejuvenation must take cultural prosperity as its prerequisite. If the continuous development of civilization and the inheritance and promotion of culture cannot be ensured, the realization of the dream of building a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation will be nothing more than a "heavenly discussion of Arabian nights" (a fantasy). ^[12]

Third, expounding the status and role of culture from the dimension of enhancing national cultural soft power. The development of a country is both an increase in "hard power," such as total economic output, and a process of expanding "soft power," including thought, culture, value concepts, and institutional systems. As an important factor therein, the state of cultural soft power concerns China’s positioning in the global cultural landscape and even changes its status in the international balance of power. Chinese culture possesses the vital endowment and existential patience to "win people over through reason, through culture, and through virtue." This is our deepest cultural soft power, capable of building bridges between hearts and minds and helping to continuously improve national cultural soft power. To enhance national cultural soft power, we must strive to coordinate the unique intellectual elements and cultural genes inherent in the Chinese nation for thousands of years with contemporary culture and modern society. We must promote the cultural spirit that possesses enduring charm and value and broadcast cultural innovation achievements that unify inheritance and innovation as well as nationality and worldliness. In short, enhancing national cultural soft power requires "cultivating both the internal and the external," realizing the unity of being "formed within" and "manifested without," ^[13] and effectively building our own culture well.

Fourth, expounding the status and role of culture from the dimension of enriching the people's spiritual life. Without spirit, a person cannot stand; without spirit, a country cannot be strong. Without the spiritual wealth of the people and the spiritual strength of the nation, a country and a nation will fall into the mire of spiritual disorientation, losing cohesion and vitality because they have lost their soul. The essence of modernization is the modernization of people. Humans are cultural beings rather than "commodified" objects; they are proactive and well-rounded rather than rigid and "one-dimensional." ^[14] As the quality of life improves and concepts gradually change, people in reality not only seek material superiority but also demand a "happiness index." They not only yearn for the harmony of the natural ecosystem but also long for the fullness of spiritual life. They not only care about efficiency and fairness but also strive to ensure the harmony of interpersonal relationships and the enrichment of spiritual life, exploring the meaning of life on the basis of satisfying basic needs. The ultimate goal of modernization is to achieve the free and well-rounded development of the individual, allowing people's material and spiritual worlds to be equally wealthy. Xi Jinping has pointed out that "In meeting the people’s growing needs for a better life, culture is an important factor." We must strengthen cultural construction, promote cultural prosperity and development, build a great modern socialist country, and effectively offer the best "spiritual food" to the masses, continuously satisfying the people’s spiritual and cultural needs and strengthening the spiritual power of the people to continue forging ahead.

(2) Theory of Goals and Tasks

Only when goals and tasks are clear can action be effective. Since the New Era, our Party has successively proposed "solidly advancing the construction of a socialist cultural powerhouse," "strengthening cultural confidence and promoting the prosperity and flourishing of socialist culture," "building a cultural powerhouse," and "advancing cultural confidence and self-improvement to create new glory for socialist culture." These have been systematically expounded and continuously advanced. At the Seminar on Cultural Inheritance and Development, Xi Jinping made clear requirements regarding the promotion of cultural prosperity and the construction of a cultural powerhouse. It is evident that Xi Jinping’s cultural thought consistently positions and deepens "the construction of a socialist cultural powerhouse" as the goal and task of cultural construction. Xi Jinping emphasizes that for the goal of a cultural powerhouse to be realized as scheduled, the key is to "continuously develop a New Era socialist culture with Chinese characteristics that possesses powerful ideological leadership, spiritual cohesion, value appeal, and international influence." These four aspects of "power" clarify the direction of effort for building a socialist cultural powerhouse, fully demonstrating our Party’s cultural subjectivty and sense of historical mission, marking the cultural coordinates and anchoring the civilizational course for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

First, developing a New Era socialist culture with Chinese characteristics that possesses powerful ideological leadership, providing ideological guidance for building a cultural powerhouse. The essence of culture lies in the idea that "culture is the vehicle for the Dao" (the Way), ^[15] where the "Dao" reflects the truth of thought. Engels pointed out: "A nation that wants to stand at the highest peak of science cannot for a moment do without theoretical thinking." The core of culture is "thought," and the essential power of culture lies first in the leadership of thought—directing people with profound thoughts that are "both broad and subtle." ^[16] Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is a brilliant example of the "Two Combinations." To enhance the ideological leadership of New Era socialist culture with Chinese characteristics, we must unswervingly use this latest achievement in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism to arm our minds, guide practice, and promote work, consciously using it to command cultural construction in the New Era. Xi Jinping’s cultural thought has written a new chapter in the development of Marxist cultural theory and is the "cultural chapter" of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. On the new journey of the New Era, to enhance the ideological leadership of New Era socialist culture with Chinese characteristics, we must firmly grasp the theoretical character of Xi Jinping’s cultural thought—where "the substance is manifested in its use and the substance and use are integrated" ^[17]—always hold high the Party’s cultural banner, persist in the Party’s cultural leadership, let the light of Marxist truth shine even more brightly, and effectively consolidate the guiding position of Marxism in the ideological sphere and the common ideological foundation for the united struggle of the entire Party and the people of all ethnic groups across the country.

Second, developing a New Era socialist culture with Chinese characteristics that possesses powerful spiritual cohesion, gathering spiritual strength for building a cultural powerhouse. Spirit is the soul upon which a nation relies for its survival and the unique marker that distinguishes it from other nations. Once spiritual independence and autonomy are lost, independence in politics, thought, and culture will be affected, potentially facing the risk of "having the firewood removed from under the cauldron" (undermining the foundation). ^[18] Xi Jinping has pointed out that an important reason why the Chinese nation has survived countless ordeals without falling is that "our nation has a continuous line of spiritual pursuits, spiritual traits, and spiritual lineage." The powerful spiritual cohesion of New Era socialist culture with Chinese characteristics stems from the spiritual pedigree forged by Chinese Communists during their extraordinary journey, with the "Great Founding Spirit of the Party" ^[19] as its source. It also stems from the national spirit centered on patriotism and the spirit of the era centered on reform and innovation, which were gradually formed by the Chinese nation during the long process of social and historical development. On the new journey of the New Era, to enhance the spiritual cohesion of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics, we must inherit the spiritual pedigree of Chinese Communists, carry forward the national spirit centered on patriotism, promote the spirit of the era centered on reform and innovation, and stimulate the historical initiative and creative spirit of all the people, providing strong spiritual impetus for the construction of a socialist cultural powerhouse.

Third, developing a New Era socialist culture with Chinese characteristics that possesses powerful value appeal, increasing value consensus for building a cultural powerhouse. Values are the core of culture, and core values are the fundamental factor that determines the nature and direction of a culture. Therefore, the realization of the goal of building a cultural powerhouse inherently requires strengthening the value appeal of cultural construction. Xi Jinping pointed out: "Core values are actually a kind of virtue; they are both individual virtue and a kind of 'Great Virtue'—the virtue of the state and the virtue of society." The socialist core values depict the value ideals that the masses long for in a better life, reflect the value purpose of comprehensively promoting the construction of a strong nation, and serve as the value guidelines for building socialist culture with Chinese characteristics. On the new journey of the New Era, to enhance the value appeal of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics, we must strive to construct a system for inheriting traditional Chinese virtues, continuously strengthen the construction of the socialist core value system throughout society, and focus on extracting and interpreting the rich connotations of socialist core values from the people and events around us. We must integrate socialist core values into all aspects of social production and life, allowing them to condense into people’s tangible cultural behaviors, forming a common ideal and belief, powerful spiritual force, and basic moral norms throughout the Party and society, continuously improving the civilizational literacy of the entire society, drawing the "largest possible concentric circle," ^[20] and increasing value consensus for building a socialist cultural powerhouse.

Fourth, developing a New Era socialist culture with Chinese characteristics that possesses powerful international influence, expanding the global vision for building a cultural powerhouse. A strong, modern socialist country must necessarily possess powerful cultural communication power and international influence. As China’s national soft power and international influence increase, the international community’s attention to Chinese culture grows day by day, with expectations that Chinese culture will play a greater role in the development and progress of human civilization. Chinese culture is not only rooted in China but also faces the world. While establishing its own cultural subjectivity and doing its own work well, it also needs to make a greater contribution to the development of world civilization. How to enhance the international influence of Chinese culture and increase China’s right to speak ^[21] in the international arena has become a "must-answer question" in developing New Era socialist culture with Chinese characteristics and building a cultural powerhouse. On the new journey of the New Era, to enhance the international influence of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics, we are required to be adept at promoting Chinese culture's global reach through the distillation and sublimation of the spiritual symbols and cultural essence of Chinese civilization. We must also focus on promoting international communication from a cultural perspective, extensively participate in the dialogue of world civilizations, and—following the "precision communication method" of "grasping the trend, distinguishing the audience, and applying precise measures"—promote the globalization, regionalization, and targeted expression of Chinese stories and the Chinese voice. We must more proactively spread Chinese culture to the world, promote Chinese propositions, and display China’s image, letting the Chinese voice travel further and Chinese stories spread more widely. This ensures that the world knows not only of "China with the Great Wall" and "China on the tongue" (culinary China), but also of a "developing China," an "opening China," and a "China that contributes to human civilization," effectively making new and greater contributions to creating a new form of human civilization and building a community with a shared future for humanity.

(3) Theory of Guidelines and Principles

Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, on the one hand, proposes continued adherence to the orientation of "serving the people and serving socialism" and the policy of "letting a hundred flowers bloom and a hundred schools of thought contend" ^[22]; on the other hand, it elucidates the principles and observances for cultural construction in the New Era from the perspective of cultural mission.

First, strengthening cultural confidence. Cultural confidence is the deepest and most enduring force in the development of a country and a nation. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has based itself on a new historical coordinate, elevated cultural construction to a new height, and solemnly proposed and systematically elaborated on cultural confidence as the "fourth confidence" ^[23], emphasizing that it is a "more fundamental, broader, and deeper confidence." To strive toward the grand goals of building a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation on the new journey, we must continuously enhance cultural confidence. Specifically, this means consolidating cultural subjectivity, persisting in following our own path, rooting ourselves in Chinese soil to construct an independent knowledge system, achieving spiritual independence, and ensuring that the edifice of the Chinese national spirit stands tall and firm.

Second, upholding openness and inclusiveness. Openness and inclusiveness are the sources of vitality for the development of civilizations and a distinctive mark of cultural confidence. Only a civilization full of self-confidence can engage in equal and friendly exchanges with various different civilizations while maintaining its own independence. Xi Jinping pointed out: "Stressing the recognition and respect for the cultural achievements of one's own country and nation is not about engaging in self-isolation, much less about practicing self-importance—it is not a 'sole proprietor' ^[24] approach." The grand atmosphere of Chinese civilization benefits from the open and inclusive breadth of Chinese culture. Throughout the long history of human evolution, Chinese civilization has never advocated for a single culture to replace multiculturalism; rather, it has made unremitting efforts for the harmonious coexistence of diverse cultures and the gathering of a common culture, thereby resolving cultural conflicts and coalescing a broad consensus. At present and in the future, we must treat the cultures of all countries in the world with an open and inclusive temperament and a dialectical perspective; we must manifest the unique charm of Chinese culture through equal dialogue and exchange, and take practical actions to cast new glory for Chinese culture and enhance its international influence.

Third, adhering to upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground. Xi Jinping pointed out: "For cultural construction, only by upholding the fundamentals can we avoid losing ourselves and our direction; only by breaking new ground can we grasp the era and lead the era." Marxism is the fundamental guiding ideology of our Party and state. "Excellent traditional culture is the foundation for the inheritance and development of a country and a nation." Cultural construction cannot "forget one's ancestors by discarding the classics" ^[25], or it will commit subversive errors. To uphold the fundamentals, the most basic task is to hold fast to the "soul-vein" of Marxism and the "root-vein" of excellent traditional Chinese culture. The vitality of culture lies in innovation. To persist in cultural innovation, we must strengthen the excavation and interpretation of traditional culture, endow it with new connotations of the times, and allow it to radiate new and vigorous vitality in the current stage. Promoting cultural innovation must be down-to-earth; it cannot become a "castle in the air" or the "moon in the water" detached from practice. We must always face the vivid practice of deeply advancing cultural construction, establish a firm problem-oriented approach, and continuously promote cultural prosperity in the New Era through the gradual resolution of various realistic problems, creating new cultural glories.

(4) The Theory of Strategic Path

As a systemic project, cultural construction requires holistic strategic planning. Xi Jinping Thought on Culture clarifies the strategic path of cultural construction by specifying the mandate to "uphold the banner, gather the people's hearts, cultivate new generations, flourish culture, and present a positive image" to comprehensively build a socialist cultural power.

First, adhering to the correct course to "uphold the banner." The banner is the direction; the banner is the power. We must firmly grasp the essential attribute that contemporary Chinese culture is a socialist culture, hold high the banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and build a socialist ideology with strong cohesion and leadership. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is undoubtedly the ideological banner of Chinese Communists in the New Era. Currently, we must regard the in-depth study and education of this scientific theoretical system as the key link in "upholding the banner." We must consciously use it to arm our minds, guide practice, and promote work, driving Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era deep into people's hearts so it takes root and manifests in concrete action.

Second, adhering to unity and encouragement to "gather the people's hearts." The people's hearts are the greatest politics; they are the source of strength for the Party to govern, rejuvenate the country, and move from victory to victory. History and practice have proven that where the people's hearts go, the government follows; where the people's hearts gather, the government flourishes. The more severe the international and domestic situations, the more complex the state of struggle in the ideological field, and the more arduous the missions of reform, development, and stability, the more we need to strengthen confidence and inspire the whole Party and the people of the whole country to work with one heart and mind and forge ahead with fortitude. We must firmly grasp the correct orientation of public opinion, give full play to the guiding role of the "kettledrum" and "wind vane" of the main theme, and enhance the maximum effect of the "corrector" and "strong magnetic field" of positive energy. We must expand and strengthen mainstream ideological public opinion to ensure that the morale of the whole Party and the people of the whole country remains high and their spirits energized, maintaining consistency in ideals, beliefs, value concepts, and moral standards, thereby converging a majestic force to transform the world and marching forward in unity toward the grand goals set by the Party Central Committee.

Third, adhering to value guidance to "cultivate new generations." The key to achieving great things lies in people; we must clarify the fundamental questions of "who to cultivate, how to cultivate them, and for whom to cultivate them." We must persist in "fostering virtue through education" ^[26] and "cultivating people through culture," further advancing the normalization and institutionalization of education on ideals and beliefs. We must let socialist core values "fly into the homes of ordinary people" ^[27], making them common values that the masses use daily without even noticing. We must anchor the shared ideological foundation for struggling toward the goal of building a strong country, continuously improve the ideological awareness, moral standards, and civilized literacy of the people, and cultivate "new people of the era" who can shoulder heavy responsibilities.

Fourth, adhering to confidence and self-reliance to "flourish culture." Culture carries the Way (Dao), transmits emotion, and implants virtue. Culture is the lifeblood and soul of a country and a nation. We must strengthen cultural confidence and self-reliance, persist in the correct development path that manifests the characteristics of our own country and nation, and continuously stimulate the cultural innovation and creative vitality of the entire nation. We must open up new prospects for ideological and cultural work, forge new glories in cultural development, and promote our country's transition from a large cultural nation to a cultural power, better shouldering the cultural mission of the New Era to create a new culture belonging to our time.

Fifth, adhering to telling stories well to "present a positive image." The successful construction of a national image benefits from the shaping and support of national cultural soft power and influence. At a time when international exchanges are becoming increasingly frequent, improving the construction of international communication capacity, telling China's story well to the world, and continuously enhancing national cultural soft power and the influence of Chinese culture are major challenges and tasks presented by the times. We must take this mission requirement as the core handle for "presenting a positive image," focusing on telling China's story well to strengthen cultural exchanges and dialogue between civilizations. We must strive to improve our country's and nation's communication influence, cultural appeal, image affinity, discourse persuasiveness, and public opinion guidance, making new and greater contributions to the promotion of Chinese cultural development and the progress of human civilization.

(5) The Theory of Practical Requirements

In October 2023, the National Conference on Ideological and Cultural Work was held, conveying General Secretary Xi Jinping's practical requirements of the "Seven Focuses." This important requirement provides both value guidance at the macro level and a direction for exertion in specific practice. it further enhances the comprehensiveness, systematic nature, and integrity of the strategic deployment for building a socialist culture with Chinese characteristics in the New Era, providing a scientific guide for the development of cultural undertakings.

First, focusing on strengthening the Party's leadership over ideological and cultural work. Adhering to the Party's leadership is the fundamental guarantee for the steady development of ideological and cultural work and the primary observance for the smooth advancement of building a cultural power. This is a major conclusion reached by the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core based on the Party's history and the general trend of the times; it manifests a scientific grasp of ideological work and a profound understanding of the laws of cultural development. We must resolutely defend the "fundamentals" of the Communist Party of China's cultural leadership, ensuring that leadership over work in the cultural field remains firmly in the hands of the Party and that our cultural construction always advances along the socialist direction.

Second, focusing on building a socialist ideology with strong cohesion and leadership. Ideological work concerns the future and destiny of a political party, a country, and a nation. Marxism is the fundamental guiding ideology of our Party and state, as well as the core and soul of our country's mainstream values. We must further strengthen ideological guidance and publicity-education, hold high the great banner of scientific Marxist theory, and consolidate the common ideological basis for the whole Party and people of the whole country to forge ahead. We must persist in the "Two Combinations," better constructing the Chinese spirit, Chinese values, and Chinese strength to provide inexhaustible spiritual power for the comprehensive building of a modern socialist country.

Third, focusing on cultivating and practicing socialist core values. Socialist core values fundamentally embody the essential attributes of socialism, are rooted in excellent traditional Chinese culture, absorb and learn from the outstanding achievements of human civilization, manifest the value pursuits of the Chinese nation, and reflect the value concepts of human social progress. Cultivating and practicing socialist core values is a realistic need for cultural work in the New Era and an inevitable requirement for better enriching the people's spiritual world and coagulating social consensus. We must closely integrate this with the new mission of building a cultural power, seeking ideological resonance points, value consensus points, and civilization growth points in the practice of daily life. We must put great effort into "refining, miniaturizing, and implementing" these values to solidify the ideological and moral foundation for all people to unite and struggle for national rejuvenation and modernization.

Fourth, focusing on improving the communication, guidance, influence, and credibility of news and public opinion. News and public opinion work is a major matter of the Party’s governance of the country. We must respect the laws of news communication, taking a firm political stand as the prerequisite, the insulation of "people-centeredness" as the work orientation, and the strengthening of mainstream ideological public opinion for forging ahead in the New Era as the goal. We must closely revolve around the mission of "upholding the banner and providing guidance, focusing on the center and serving the overall situation, uniting the people and inspiring morale, cultivating people through culture and gathering strength, clarifying fallacies and distinguishing right from wrong, and connecting China with the world." We must clearly persist in the correct political direction, public opinion orientation, and value orientation, excelling at innovation in concepts, means, and methods. We must comprehensively use various methods such as mass communication, group communication, and interpersonal communication to widely promote the main theme and spread positive energy, continuously improving the communication, guidance, influence, and credibility of news and public opinion.

Fifth, focusing on continuing the Chinese cultural lineage and promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of excellent traditional Chinese culture. Cultural construction in the New Era must fully utilize the precious resources of Chinese culture, manifest the subjectivity of Chinese civilization, be adept at rooting itself in the fertile soil of Chinese civilization, and continuously promote the "Two Combinations." It must better handle the relationship between the "root-vein" and the "soul-vein," injecting ideological strength into the continuation of the Chinese cultural lineage and the comprehensive building of a socialist cultural power. We must persist in making the past serve the present and foreign things serve China, engaging in dialectical selection and "weeding through the old to bring forth the new." We must be adept at proposing new ideas, expressing new discourses, forming new mechanisms, and launching new forms in ideological and cultural work, ensuring that culture with Chinese characteristics always reflects the spirit of the times and leads the trends of the times.

Sixth, focusing on promoting the prosperous development of cultural undertakings and cultural industries. The prosperity of cultural undertakings and industries helps advanced socialist culture flourish, thereby satisfying the people’s increasingly rich spiritual needs and continuously enhancing national cultural soft power and the influence of Chinese culture. We must promote the comprehensive prosperity of cultural undertakings and the rapid development of cultural industries, continuously improving the spiritual literacy of the people and strengthening overall cultural strength and competitiveness. We must be adept at clarifying the dialectical relationship between the twofold attributes of culture—ideology and industry—and its twofold benefits—social and economic—to promote the great development and prosperity of culture.

Seventh, focusing on strengthening the construction of international communication capacity and promoting mutual learning among civilizations. Mutual learning among civilizations helps them become rich and colorful, thereby promoting the progress of human civilization and the development of world peace. Through exchange, collision, conflict, and fusion with other civilizations of the world, the vivid vitality and inexhaustible creativity of Chinese civilization are fully stimulated. The affinity, contagious power, and attractiveness of Chinese civilization are continuously enhanced, as are the national cultural soft power and the influence of Chinese culture. We must focus on strengthening international communication capacity, improving the effectiveness of international communication, and innovating discourse methods. We must achieve a two-way interaction between Chinese theory and Chinese practice, creating new concepts, categories, and expressions that facilitate communication between China and the outside world. We must tell China's story well to the world so that the world can better read China, the Chinese people, the Communist Party of China, and the Chinese nation, allowing more countries to recognize, listen to, and understand China.

III. The Theoretical Characteristics of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture

(1) "The Substance for Application, the Application Consistent with the Substance": The Unity of Scientificity and Practicality

Marxism has always emphasized the organic integration of theory and practice—that is, the unity of scientific rigor and practical application—repeatedly stressing that "philosophers have only interpreted the world in various ways; the point is to change it." In a direct line of succession to this, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture contains both theoretical innovations and practical deployments, macroeconomic methodological adherence and micro-level specific guidance. It reflects both the truth-based realization of the objective laws governing the development of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics and the practical guidance for shoulder cultural missions in the New Era at a new starting point. It achieves an organic unity of scientificity and practicality, highlighting the distinct characteristic of this important thought: "clarifying the Substance and attaining its Function; integrating Substance and Function" (mingti dayong, tiyong guantong) ^[28].

"Substance and Function" (tiyong) is a vital pair of categories in Chinese philosophy. "Substance" (ti) refers to the ontology of existence or thought—the national spirit, value concepts, and excellent culture of the Chinese nation—as well as scientific ideological theory. "Function" (yong) refers to practice, namely the specific expression and application of the "Substance." One could say that "Substance" refers to the essence and origin, while "Function" refers to practice and methodology; their combination represents the interconnection between theory and practice. So-called "clarifying the Substance" refers to the theoretical innovations and breakthroughs within Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, especially its inheritance and development of Marxist cultural theory. So-called "attaining its Function" refers to the deployment and requirements regarding the layout of cultural work, unfolding the framework and arrangement for the conduct of propaganda, ideological, and cultural work. So-called "integration" refers to the organic unity of cultural theory and cultural practice, of ontology and methodology, and of epistemology and praxeology. This is specifically manifested in the mutual integration of the "soul-vein" and the "root-vein" ^[29], of the material and the spiritual, of the traditional and the modern, and of theory and practice. In short, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture profoundly embodies the organic unity of "Substance" and "Function." It addresses not only what things are and why they are so, but also what must be done and how to do it, highlighting the theoretical quality of the unity of Marxism's scientific and practical nature.

(2) "Using Establishment as the Foundation, Combining Establishment and Destruction": The Unity of Constructiveness and Criticality

"Establishment" (li) and "destruction" (po) ^[30] are the social acts of subjects in social practice who construct or deconstruct specific things to achieve set goals. Among these, "establishment" involves the maintenance, consolidation, and development of things, carrying a positive and affirmative emotional coloring; "destruction" involves the negation and criticism of things, breaking their existing state and promoting their transformation into their opposite. "Using establishment as the foundation, combining establishment and destruction" is the consistent policy of the Communist Party of China in carrying out propaganda, ideological, and cultural work. "Establishment" is the prerequisite and "destruction" is the guarantee. This principle highlights the complementarity of constructiveness and criticality.

Xi Jinping has pointed out: "We must persist in taking establishment as the foundation and combining establishment and destruction, continuously enhancing the cohesion and leadership of socialist ideology." On one hand, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture adheres to establishment as the foundation, possessing a prominent constructiveness. It clearly proposes holding high the great banner of Marxism and using Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to forge consensus and soul; firmly grasping the Party's leadership over culture; promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture; cultivating and practicing Socialist Core Values; promoting the prosperity of cultural undertakings and cultural industries; and ensuring that news and public opinion focus on positive propaganda and the building of unity and morale, among others. These viewpoints fully reflect the constructive nature of taking establishment as the foundation.

On the other hand, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture insists on "combining establishment and destruction, while clearing the murky and bringing forth the clear" (jizhuo yangqing) ^[31]. It dares to "show the sword" ^[32], is adept at struggle, stands firm in refuting fallacies, and possesses a prominent criticality. Xi Jinping noted: "Adhering to the principle of unity, stability, and morale-boosting, with a focus on positive propaganda, absolutely does not mean abandoning guidance of public opinion or public opinion struggle." Xi Jinping Thought on Culture proposes maintaining a clear head at all times and taking a clear-cut stand against various erroneous ideas that deny the leadership of the CPC, deny Marxism, or deny socialism. With the posture of combat and the responsibility of a soldier, it criticizes erroneous trends and viewpoints such as the "Marxism is outdated" theory, the "communism is a distant hope" theory, and historical nihilism ^[33]. It fully exposes their erroneous essence and negative influence, dares to pierce lies, refute fallacies, and clear the mist, fully embodying its critical nature. In short, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture is manifested not only in its profound criticism of erroneous trends and real-world problems in the cultural sphere but also in its active construction of new cultural theories and continuous self-reflection, thereby forming a scientific theoretical system.

(3) "Advancing with the Times, Upholding the Fundamentals and Breaking New Ground": The Unity of Inheritance and Innovation

History and practice have repeatedly proven that only by not forgetting the original can we open up the future, and only by being adept at inheritance can we better innovate. The formation of any great thought embodies the organic unity of history, reality, and the future; it cannot be separated from deep historical accumulation, yet it is also inscribed with distinct marks of the era. Xi Jinping Thought on Culture neither forgets the "ancestors"—adhering to the continuous lineage of Chinese culture—nor fails to advance with the times, uphold the fundamentals and break new ground, fully embodying the unity of inheritance and innovation.

On one hand, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture has a prominent inheritance. In essence, it belongs to the category of ideology and thus possesses the quality of historical inheritance. In terms of content, this inheritance stems from the continuity of Chinese culture. Basing his work on the fundamental principles of historical materialism, Xi Jinping has scientifically explained the continuous relationship between fine traditional Chinese culture, revolutionary culture, and advanced socialist culture, reflecting the original contributions of his Thought on Culture. Regarding the laws of cultural development, Xi Jinping has deeply expounded on the "Second Integration" on the basis of the "First Integration" ^[34], highlighting the inheritance of scientific Marxist theory and the essence of fine traditional Chinese culture.

On the other hand, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture possesses prominent innovation. It is rooted in the vivid practice of cultural construction led by the CPC in the New Era. It emerged against a specific historical background where the struggle for ideological discourse power among different countries and regions worldwide has become increasingly fierce, and the situation of China’s propaganda, ideological, and cultural work has become increasingly complex. It provides a comprehensive plan for a series of issues such as the significance, subjects, goals, and measures of cultural construction in the New Era, putting forward a series of innovative new viewpoints, ideas, and judgments. Innovation also runs through the specific requirements of this thought across the entire process and all aspects of propaganda, ideological, and cultural work. For example, regarding news work, Xi Jinping pointed out that "content innovation is fundamental." Regarding literary and artistic work, he emphasized that "the spirit of innovation must run through the entire process of literary and artistic creation and production." Regarding external propaganda, he emphasized the need to "innovate methods of external propaganda, striving to create new concepts, new categories, and new expressions that are understood by both China and the world." Xi Jinping Thought on Culture takes inheritance as its base and innovation as its essence, intentionally developing cultural theory and innovating cultural practice under new historical conditions. The distinct characteristic of combining inheritance and innovation closely links the past, present, and future of culture together.

(4) "Drawing from Broad Sources, Inclusion and Absorption": The Unity of National Character and World Character

Culture is national, and it is also human; Chinese culture belongs to China, and it also belongs to the world. To develop advanced socialist culture, we must take root in the fertile soil of Chinese civilization, so that we may stand firm amidst the turbulence of world cultures. However, adhering to national roots must never fall into the quagmire of narrow nationalism; highlighting national character must not obscure the human vision or dilute the global perspective. National character and human character highlight each other; locality and globality promote each other. Xi Jinping Thought on Culture persists in drawing from broad sources, inclusion, and absorption, standing in China while facing the world, embodying the organic unity of national character and world character.

On one hand, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture has a prominent national character. The reason the Chinese nation has endured through hardships without declining is inseparable from the powerful support of Chinese culture. Chinese culture possesses distinct national characteristics, containing a charm and wisdom that manifests a national style, reflecting a deep spiritual resonance. In the field of propaganda, ideological, and cultural work, Xi Jinping has required that we "build philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics, Chinese style, and Chinese flair" and "distinctly establish Chinese flair and Chinese style in the field of world literature and art," all of which embody the prominent national character of his Thought on Culture.

On the other hand, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture possesses a prominent world character. While establishing the national foundation, it pursues global interests, creates well-being for humanity, and seeks beauty for the world. It is committed to the innovative development of world culture and civilization creation that benefits the globe. It has issued initiatives on civilization to the world, shaping a view of civilization based on equality, mutual learning, dialogue, and inclusiveness. It vigorously promotes the common values of all humanity, actively promotes exchange and mutual learning between human civilizations, and plays an intellectually leading role in clarifying the direction and path for creating a new form of human civilization. This demonstrates contemporary China’s ideal pursuit of the rejuvenation of Chinese civilization and the progress of human civilization, showcasing the global vision of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture. In short, the more national a culture is, the more it belongs to the world. Xi Jinping Thought on Culture's exposition and practice of this important principle fully highlight the developmental feature whereby the national and world characters of culture are deeply integrated and mutually reinforcing.

(Author: Zhang Hao, Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the School of Marxism, Sun Yat-sen University; Young Scholar of the "Changjiang Scholars Award Program" of the Ministry of Education) Online Editor: Tong Xin Source: Qiusuo (Seeking), Issue 2, 2025.