Zhou Jianxin: The Cultural Path of Chinese-Style Modernization
The Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee pointed out that "the present and the period to come are critical for the great cause of building a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese-path modernization," and made the strategic decision and deployment to "deepen the reform of cultural systems and mechanisms." Modernization has been the developmental model for human society since the dawn of the modern era, and the international community has long been influenced by the Western capitalist model of modernization. China's practice of modernization proves that the Western developmental model is not the only path. Chinese-path modernization is a modernization that harmonizes material and spiritual civilizations. The cultural path of Chinese-path modernization is a high-level state of modern civilization created by the Communist Party of China (CPC) leading the people of the whole country. It is a model of cultural development distinct from Western modernization, achieving a transcendence of Western modernization theory and practice. It is a modernization inherently oriented toward a community with a shared future for humanity, possessing distinct foundations in Chinese culture, a clear character of being for the people, and vigorous cultural vitality. This article reflects on the evolutionary paradigm and theoretical framework of the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization from the perspectives of its internal logic, guiding principles, and developmental trajectory, while offering effective constructive solutions.
I. The Internal Logic of the Cultural Path of Chinese-path Modernization
The cultural path of Chinese-path modernization is the inevitable requirement for the continuous advancement of socialist cultural construction with Chinese characteristics. This path possesses an inherent historical, practical, and institutional logic. Based on the developmental reality of Chinese-path modernization and starting from the historical process of Chinese cultural construction and development, we must conduct a comprehensive analysis of the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization in combination with current national policies and strategic tasks.
(1) Historical Logic The cultural path of Chinese-path modernization began in modern China [1]. After the Opium War, China was reduced to a semi-colonial and semi-feudal society, and the Chinese nation suffered unprecedented catastrophe. Chinese society gave rise to high-spirited and far-reaching cultural changes, which triggered various cultural debates such as "Chinese learning for the essence, Western learning for application" (zhongti xiyong), "national essence-ism" (guo cuizhuyi), and "total Westernization." With the introduction of Marxism into China, a group of progressive intellectuals saw the dawn of a new era. Chinese Communists, represented by Mao Zedong, integrated Marxism with China's reality and proposed a New Democratic cultural outlook characterized by "a national, scientific, and mass culture." This broke the logical fixity of the binary division between "ancient and modern" and "Chinese and Western," possessing a distinct advancement for its time. It fundamentally solved the issues of the nature, leadership, and construction goals of New Democratic culture, pointing the way forward for the development of Chinese culture. During the period of Revolutionary War, the CPC attached great importance to cultural work, viewing it as the primary battlefield for ideological struggle and an important tool for mobilizing the masses. During the Yan'an Period, the "Two-Fors" direction—"insisting that literature and art serve the people and serve workers, peasants, and soldiers"—was proposed. This established the guiding position of Marxism in the cultural field and clarified the Party's leadership over cultural work, laying the foundation for socialist cultural construction after the founding of New China. Since the start of the modern era, the cultural path has advanced through twists and turns and exploration, gradually becoming clear through the Party’s revolutionary struggle and cultural practice, thereby providing a solid foundation for the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization.
The cultural path of Chinese-path modernization is a leap forward for the socialist cultural path. This path has gone through three main stages: the exploration period of the socialist cultural modernization path (1949–1978), the construction period (1978–2012), and the deepening period (from 2012 to the present). After the founding of New China, the CPC, based on inheriting and developing New Democratic culture, continuously explored the socialist cultural path. At the First National People's Congress, Comrade Mao Zedong clearly proposed to "build our country, which is now economically and culturally backward, into a great, highly modernized, industrial country," incorporating cultural construction into the overall layout of socialist construction. Subsequently, the Party Central Committee proposed the policy of "letting a hundred flowers bloom and a hundred schools of thought contend" [2], emphasizing that this "is a policy for promoting progress in the arts and sciences and a flourishing socialist culture in our land." Thus began the exploration of the path to socialist cultural modernization. The Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee kicked off the reform and opening-up era, putting forward the strategic decision to shift the focus of work toward socialist modernization. The Party gained a new understanding of cultural construction, proposing the "Two-Fors" direction of culture serving the people and serving socialism. The Sixth Plenary Session of the 17th CPC Central Committee passed the Decision of the CPC Central Committee on Several Major Issues Concerning Deepening the Reform of the Cultural System and Promoting the Great Development and Prosperity of Socialist Culture, which for the first time explicitly proposed the goal of building a socialist cultural power. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a New Era. In the report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly elucidated the status and role of culture in the New Era and the new journey, explicitly proposing the major task of "promoting cultural confidence and self-improvement, and creating new brilliance for socialist culture." The Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee further proposed the major task of "deepening the reform of cultural systems and mechanisms," clarifying the reform path and specific measures for the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization.
(2) Practical Logic The cultural path of Chinese-path modernization is a path that sprouted, was nurtured, and grew in the practice of cultural construction for socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era. "The real content of all epoch-making systems is formed by the needs of the period in which these systems arose." The cultural path of Chinese-path modernization is rooted in the great practice of cultural construction in the New Era; it is the collective wisdom of the cultural practice of Chinese Communists in the New Era, and the theoretical and practical system created and continuously improved by the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core in response to the epochal demands of the new cultural mission. Therefore, this path continuously advances in practice, manifesting a profound practical logic.
The cultural path of Chinese-path modernization is a process of our Party continuously deepening its scientific understanding of the laws of cultural development. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has proposed a series of new ideas, new viewpoints, and new judgments in the practice of governing the country through cultural construction, including both innovations and breakthroughs in cultural theoretical viewpoints and deployments and requirements for the layout of cultural work. In 2014, while presiding over the 13th collective study session of the Political Bureau of the 18th CPC Central Committee, General Secretary Xi Jinping explicitly proposed "strengthening cultural confidence and confidence in values." At the meeting celebrating the 95th anniversary of the founding of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that "cultural confidence is a more fundamental, extensive, and profound confidence." In 2017, the report to the 19th National Congress of the CPC proposed the major proposition of the "new cultural mission," emphasizing that "contemporary Chinese Communists and the Chinese people should and will surely be able to shoulder the new cultural mission, creating culture through practical creation and achieving cultural progress through historical progress." In 2018, at the National Conference on Public Communication and Ideological Work, General Secretary Xi Jinping reviewed the historic achievements and changes in this field since the 18th National Congress, systematically summarizing the theoretical innovations nurtured in practice and summarizing them as the "Nine Points of Persistence." In 2020, the Fifth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee attached great importance to cultural construction, making plans and designs from a strategic and overall perspective, and for the first time explicitly proposed a specific timetable for building a cultural power by 2035. In 2021, at the meeting celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping explicitly proposed the important judgment of the "Two Combinations" [3]. In the report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC, he systematically explained the scientific connotation and fundamental requirements of the "Two Combinations." In 2023, at the Symposium on Cultural Inheritance and Development, General Secretary Xi Jinping summarized the series of new ideas, viewpoints, and judgments proposed since the 18th National Congress as the "Fourteen Emphases" of cultural construction. Subsequently, the National Conference on Public Communication, Ideological and Cultural Work officially proposed and systematically expounded Xi Jinping Thought on Culture. Xi Jinping Thought on Culture profoundly answers the fundamental questions of what banner to hold, which path to take, what principles to uphold, and what goals to achieve for China's cultural construction in the New Era. It enriches and develops Marxist cultural theory, providing a scientific theoretical basis and guide for action for doing a good job in public communication, ideological and cultural work in the New Era and on the new journey, and for shouldering the new cultural mission.
The cultural path of Chinese-path modernization is a vivid manifestation of our Party's leadership over cultural construction. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "Public communication, ideological and cultural work concerns the future and destiny of the Party, the long-term stability of the country, and national cohesion and centripetal force; it is an extremely important task." This work serves as the vital mouthpiece of the Party and the government and is an undiminishing driving force in the historical process of Chinese-path modernization, bearing the important responsibilities of publicizing the Party's concepts and policies and educating the masses. The Party's overall leadership is the fundamental guarantee for ensuring that cultural work always moves in the right direction. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee made reform deployments for the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization in areas such as improving the responsibility system for ideological work, optimizing mechanisms for cultural services and product supply, improving the comprehensive internet governance system, and building a more effective international communication system. These are the practical directions for the Party to lead the cultural construction and reform of Chinese-path modernization in the New Era. In coordinating the construction of the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization, the Party focuses on cultivating and promoting core socialist values, promoting the coordinated development of cultural programs and cultural industries, ensuring that high-quality cultural resources reach the grassroots and the masses more deeply, and building a system of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics. These cultural practices led by the Party have fundamentally promoted cultural prosperity and the process of Chinese-path modernization, opening up a broad road for the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization.
(3) Institutional Logic The institutional systems of politics, economy, culture, and law provide important support for the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization. The political system is the solid foundation guiding this cultural path. The political system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, with the leadership of the CPC at its core, has built a system that includes the People's Congress, CPC-led multi-party cooperation and political consultation, regional ethnic autonomy, and community-level self-governance. These provide a clear political direction and strong organizational guarantee for the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization. This political system possesses the distinct advantage of "concentrating resources to accomplish major tasks." Reflected in the field of cultural construction, this system can efficiently integrate national strength, social resources, and the power of the people to promote the implementation of major cultural projects. Meanwhile, the political consultation system gives play to the initiative of various democratic parties and personages from all walks of life, broadly listening to opinions from all sides to form a consensus, providing a scientific basis for the formulation and execution of cultural policies. Furthermore, the most essential feature of the political system of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the persistence of the leadership of the CPC, which means that the Party's overall leadership over culture is the fundamental guarantee for the development path of culture in Chinese-path modernization. At the same time, by continuously deepening the reform of cultural systems and mechanisms and scientifically formulating and reasonably implementing cultural policies, we ensure that the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization always moves forward in the direction of advanced socialist culture.
The economic system lays the material foundation for developing the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization. The economic base determines the superstructure, and the economy is the prerequisite and foundation for cultural development. The economic system represents the fundamental principles for organizing social economic activities; it dictates the ownership of the means of production, methods of distribution, and the economic structure, all of which exert a profound influence on the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization. The Fourth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee clarified the basic socialist economic systems, which include: public ownership as the mainstay with diverse forms of ownership developing together; distribution according to work as the mainstay with multiple modes of distribution coexisting; and the socialist market economy system. The continuous refinement and development of the economic system of socialism with Chinese characteristics have provided the necessary economic conditions for the development of cultural undertakings and cultural industries. On one hand, with sustained economic growth, the state has continuously increased fiscal investment in the cultural sector, promoting the construction of cultural infrastructure and the development of cultural industries, thereby providing the masses with more abundant and diverse public cultural products and services. On the other hand, under the socialist market economy system, market mechanisms play a decisive role in resource allocation. State-owned and private capital jointly participate in cultural market activities, promoting the rapid development of cultural industries and the prosperity of the cultural market. In the process of Chinese-path modernization, the refinement and reform of the economic system are vital factors driving cultural development. An economic development pattern—with the public sector as the mainstay and the non-public sector encouraged, supported, and guided—adheres to the principle that socialist economic fruits in the field of cultural undertakings should be shared by the people, with the state constructing and improving systems for public cultural products and services. In the field of cultural industries, a cultural market economic system has also taken shape, led by state-owned enterprises and state capital with the participation of private capital. To a great extent, this has liberated and developed the productive forces, creating a deep economic foundation for the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization.
The cultural system is the core constituent of the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization. The national cultural system encompasses the cultural management system, cultural production and operation mechanisms, and cultural policies and regulations. These play an important role in regulating cultural market behavior, protecting cultural heritage, promoting the development of cultural industries, and enriching public cultural services. Since the New Era began, the sorting, refinement, and summation of systems in the cultural field have provided institutional guarantees for the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization. The Fourth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee adopted the Decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Several Major Issues Concerning How to Uphold and Improve the System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and Advance the Modernization of China's System and Capacity for Governance, which proposed three major systems, two institutional mechanisms, and specific task deployments to be upheld and improved in the cultural field. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee explicitly proposed deepening the reform of cultural institutional mechanisms, promoting the prosperous development of cultural undertakings and industries, refining institutional mechanisms in the cultural field, breaking down institutional barriers that constrain cultural development, and stimulating the cultural innovation and creative vitality of the entire nation. The cultural system of socialism with Chinese characteristics adheres to a people-centered approach, meeting the people's ever-growing spiritual and cultural needs, emphasizing the role of the masses as the principal actors in cultural construction, and encouraging and supporting the people's participation in cultural activities, their creation of cultural achievements, and their joint building of a civilized society.
The system of the rule of law is an important guarantee for the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization. Chinese-path modernization is a modernization that adheres to the law-based governance of the country; the rule of law is a fundamental principle of state governance. Legal construction in the cultural field has been continuously refined alongside the building of the national rule of law system and cultural construction. Our Party has always attached importance to cultural legislation to provide a jurisprudential basis for cultural development. Since the 18th National Congress, a series of documents and resolutions have mapped out a new blueprint for cultural development, providing a solid and favorable policy and legal environment for the cultural rule of law. A series of laws and regulations have protected the magnificent cultural heritage of the Chinese nation; protecting cultural heritage through legal constraints means guarding the precious spiritual wealth belonging to the Chinese nation and preserving the cultural "roots and soul" of national and cultural identity. China's legal construction has also activated the source of innovation and creative vitality for the entire nation. On one hand, the establishment and refinement of the intellectual property protection system provide an orderly and standardized environment for market competition, facilitating high-quality and refined production in the cultural industry. On the other hand, the legal protection afforded to the creation of cultural and artistic works allows people to create, publish, and promote their works with greater peace of mind, stimulating the vitality and enthusiasm of the masses for cultural innovation and creation.
II. The Philosophical Principles and Orientations of the Cultural Path of Chinese-Path Modernization
The cultural path of Chinese-path modernization has become increasingly clear through its diachronic evolutionary logic. In constructing this cultural path, clear and firm principle-based orientations are essential guarantees for ensuring that this process advances in the correct direction. These orientations not only embody the core value pursuit of socialist cultural construction under the leadership of the Communist Party of China but also reflect the unique understanding and pursuit of the Chinese nation regarding its own cultural identity and developmental path in the process of achieving Chinese-path modernization.
(1) Adhering to the Theoretical Orientation of the "Two Combinations" [4]
The "Two Combinations" constitute the guiding ideology for the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization. They are not merely a summation of Chinese cultural practice under the guidance of Marxism, but a major breakthrough in the innovation of socialist cultural theory with Chinese characteristics. The cultural path of Chinese-path modernization is built upon the foundation of Marxism and the theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a New Era; it is a cultural path of pioneering progress in the New Era, led by the CPC, centered on the people, and involving all the Chinese people. The "Two Combinations" provide the theoretical basis and innovative guidance for the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee pointed out the need to improve the system for arming the whole Party with the Party's innovative theories, educating the people, and guiding practice. This requires the masses to comprehensively understand and master the core tenets and spiritual essence of the Sinicization of Marxism, strengthen the "Four Consciousnesses," firm up the "Four Confidences," and achieve the "Two Upholds." On this basis, we must implement the Innovation Project for Philosophy and Social Sciences with Chinese Characteristics, strengthen theoretical research, disciplinary construction, and talent cultivation, and build a system of philosophy and social science disciplines, academic systems, and discourse systems with Chinese characteristics, Chinese style, and Chinese ethos [5], thereby driving innovative development in the field of philosophy and social sciences and providing solid theoretical support for cultural development.
The "Two Combinations" point the way forward for the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization. They reinforce the leading role of Marxism and Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, ensuring that the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization maintains the correct direction of development. The "Two Combinations" require us to continuously explore in practice how to better integrate the basic tenets of Marxism with cultural inheritance and innovation, while simultaneously refining and improving the theoretical system through practical innovation. Therefore, the proposition of the "Two Combinations" has not only clarified the direction of Chinese cultural development but has also provided a brand-new theoretical framework for the cultural development path of Chinese-path modernization. It emphasizes that while adhering to Marxism, we must give full play to the unique advantages of fine traditional Chinese culture to enrich and develop advanced socialist culture with Chinese characteristics. Thus, the "Two Combinations" not only provide a powerful theoretical guide for the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization but also offer a specific path for practical innovation.
(2) Adhering to the Goal-Orientation of Being People-Centered
The "people-centered nature" is the essential attribute of Marxism. The Manifesto of the Communist Party states: "The proletarian movement is the self-conscious, independent movement of the immense majority, in the interest of the immense majority." This assertion profoundly reveals the nature and purpose of the Communist Party, requiring that the Party promote cultural construction from the standpoint of the people and deepen the cultural construction of the Sinicization of Marxism. Adhering to the people-centered goal-orientation is the historical experience and vital "magic weapon" [6] of the CPC in promoting cultural construction; it is also a principled requirement that must be upheld to better shoulder the new cultural mission. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee proposed adhering to a people-centered orientation for creation, insisting on the combination of producing achievements and cultivating talent, as well as the integration of focusing on works and improving the environment, while refining mechanisms for service, guidance, and organization in literary and artistic creation and production. This requires that the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization must be people-centered, creating more high-quality works that can stand the test of the people. Consequently, the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization demonstrates a distinct "people's standpoint."
Adhering to the people-centered goal-orientation requires that the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization always orient itself toward the people's cultural needs, always place the people in the highest position of cultural development, and always place the people's cultural rights and interests at the very core. Standing at a new historical starting point, our Party has proposed that cultural development is for the people and relies on the people, combining the satisfaction of people's needs with the enhancement of their qualities, and combining service to the people with their education. As socialism with Chinese characteristics enters the New Era, the people’s spiritual and cultural needs have become increasingly diverse and personalized, with a growing demand for high-quality cultural works, high-level cultural activities, and a high-quality cultural life. Therefore, on the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization, we must grasp the needs of the masses, adhere to the organic unity of upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground, and continuously promote innovation in cultural forms, carriers, and activities. We must strive to provide more abundant and nutritious "spiritual food" for the masses, allowing the people to enjoy a higher quality of spiritual and cultural life.
Adhering to the people-centered goal-orientation requires that the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization must rely on the principal practice of the people, and the fruits of such practice must be shared by the people. General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized that the people are the creators of history and the true heroes; they are the decisive force driving history forward. Any social or historical transformation can only succeed if it represents the interests of the people and relies on their strength. Therefore, the fundamental strength of the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization lies in the people. The masses are the primary force for innovation and creation in this cultural path, and the fundamental backbone for building a leading cultural nation and the Chinese nation. Thus, in cultural production and artistic creation, we must adhere to a people-centered creative orientation, reflecting the lives, voices, emotions, and aspirations of the people, as well as the spiritual outlook of the people's lives in the New Era. We must go deep into Chinese society, deep among the masses, and focus on the productive and living practices of the masses.
Adhering to the people-centered goal-orientation requires that the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization be tested by the masses. General Secretary Xi Jinping once emphasized: "The times are the paper-setter, we are the examinees, and the people are the markers." This explicitly requires that in the construction of the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization, we must promote the "main theme" [7], transmit "positive energy," and ensure that artistic creation "touches the earth" [8] and gains popularity, winning the welcome and affirmation of the masses. The people are not only the "actors" and "authors" of history but also the connoisseurs and judges of the achievements of cultural development. The most important aspect of the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization is not economic benefit, but rather the products and services that meet the people's growing spiritual and cultural needs and strengthen their spiritual and cultural power. The people's standards are the value scale of the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization; ultimately, it depends on whether the people truly receive benefits from this cultural path and whether their spiritual and cultural needs are truly satisfied.
(3) Adhering to the Developmental Orientation of Chinese Cultural Subjectivity
Chinese cultural subjectivity is an important manifestation of cultural self-awareness in advancing the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization. This cultural path is rooted in fine traditional Chinese culture, closely integrated with advanced socialist culture and revolutionary culture, forming a new form of Chinese civilization with distinct characteristics. It highlights the subjective consciousness of Chinese culture and breaks the "curse" of "Western-style modernization," fully reflecting the inherent self-awareness of the Chinese nation in constructing its own cultural identity and cultural subjectivity. The Chinese cultural subjectivity within Chinese-path modernization is not static or reactionary; it is a process of development and construction. It addresses the questions of who constructs it, what it is constructed with, and whom it ultimately serves in the historical process of advancing the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization. In the thousands of years of cultural development and national multiplication, the Chinese nation has formed a magnificent fine traditional Chinese culture and, in modern times, has developed advanced socialist culture and revolutionary culture. The underlying Chinese concepts of civilization, worldviews, values, and views on history and society constitute the most fundamental cultural core of the Chinese cultural subjectivity in Chinese-path modernization.
The cultural path of Chinese-path modernization must persist in Chinese cultural subjectivity. The Chinese cultural subjectivity of Chinese-path modernization is rooted in the confrontation between the theories of cultural relativism and cultural globalization. It emphasizes that against the backdrop of globalization, civilizations should respect one another, and each cultural system should maintain its unique attributes and developmental direction rather than passively accepting or imitating others. Within this framework, the cultural subjectivity of Chinese-path modernization is based on the profound heritage of Chinese culture; it involves actively selecting, integrating, and innovating cultural resources from both China and abroad to form a cultural subjectivity that possesses a global vision without losing its local characteristics. This process is not only concerned with cultural inheritance and innovation but is moreover a transcendence of the dominant-dependent relationship inherent in "cultural globalization," aiming to construct a new model of cultural globalization characterized by equality, dialogue, and mutual learning. Internally, Chinese cultural subjectivity strengthens the identification with national cultural identity and firms up cultural confidence; externally, it demonstrates the unique charm of the Chinese nation. The construction of the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization can not only enhance the Chinese nation’s construction of its own subjective identity and cultural recognition but also demonstrate the attraction and appeal of Chinese civilization on a global scale. It builds universally recognized core values and social norms, using them as cultural ties to enhance national cohesion and social stability, enabling the people to find their identity positioning and spiritual belonging within common and shared cultural memories and symbols. This lays the foundation of cultural subjectivity and a broader, more fundamental cultural confidence for the comprehensive advancement of the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization.
III. The Development Path of the Cultural Path of Chinese-path Modernization
The development path of the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization is a systematic and scientific guide for action formed on the basis of comprehensive considerations of historical logic, practical logic, and institutional logic. It is not only a deepening of the understanding of the laws governing cultural development in Chinese-path modernization but also a specific response to how to maintain Chinese cultural characteristics and promote inter-civilizational exchange and mutual learning in the context of globalization.
(1) Grasping the Direction of Development through Value Guidance
Promoting the prosperity and flourishing of culture through the spirit of the times. The spirit of the times is formed and developed under new historical conditions, reflecting national traits while conforming to the ideological concepts, behavioral modes, value orientations, spiritual outlooks, and social fashions of the contemporary trend. It reflects the developmental direction of social progress, leads the progressive tide of the era, and constitutes the main theme of society. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee proposed that reform and opening up is an important "magic weapon" [9] for the cause of the Party and the people to catch up with the times in long strides. Reform and opening up has already become a key driving force in the process of Chinese-path modernization. Continuous reform practices in the cultural field have achieved the scene of cultural prosperity in the New Era. This requires that in the construction of the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization, cultural creation and dissemination should, in accordance with the development of the times, highlight and reflect the great practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era, making cultural products a mirror of the era’s development. We must deeply tap into and carry forward the great spirits formed by the Party and the people during their struggles across various historical periods, such as the Red Boat Spirit, the Jinggangshan Spirit, the Long March Spirit, the Yan'an Spirit, the Xibaipo Spirit, the Spirit of the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea, and the "Two Bombs, One Satellite" Spirit [10]. We must actively mold "Role Models of the Times" [11], promoting advanced individuals and collectives through media and public education, and inspiring people to devote themselves to the construction of the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization through their deeds.
Cultivating and practicing Socialist Core Values. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out that "Socialist Core Values are the concentrated expression of the contemporary Chinese spirit and condense the common value pursuits of all the people." Cultivating and practicing Socialist Core Values means promoting the normalization and institutionalization of education in ideals and convictions, and deeply carrying out the theme education campaign for studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The concepts and connotations of Socialist Core Values must be integrated into the daily lives of the masses, publicized in forms that the masses love to see and hear, and a positive atmosphere for practicing Socialist Core Values should be actively created on network platforms. We should actively promote various activities for the creation of spiritual civilization, mobilizing and encouraging the masses to participate in the promotion and practice of Socialist Core Values, linking them closely with daily life. In terms of "soul-casting and person-cultivating" (铸魂育人), Socialist Core Values should be combined with talent development, written into textbooks, and introduced into campuses and classrooms. Fine traditional Chinese culture should be combined with Socialist Core Values and internalized as rich nourishment for the spiritual world, focusing on cultivating "new people of the times" capable of shouldering the heavy responsibility of national rejuvenation. Behavioral norms such as civic conventions and village regulations [12] should be improved, integrating Socialist Core Values into the construction of the rule of law. Furthermore, we should improve and innovate methods for cultivating civilization, making full use of emerging technical means to optimize and empower civilizational practice, civilizational creation, and cultural promotion, providing value guidance for the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization.
Improving literary and artistic creation, production, and services through value guidance. Literary and artistic work is an "engine of the soul" (铸魂工程) and an important form for influencing the values of the masses. On the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization, we must strive to create and produce more outstanding works that disseminate contemporary Chinese values, reflect the Chinese spirit, and achieve an organic unity of ideological depth and artistic quality. We should discover themes for creation within the construction of Chinese-path modernization, capture inspiration for innovation, and create more high-quality works that can reflect the historical changes of this era and the needs of the people—especially "masterpieces" (精品力作) needed by the Party, the state, and the people. We must respect and follow the laws of literary and artistic development, using historical, popular, artistic, and aesthetic perspectives to critique and appreciate works. We must dare to seek truth from facts regarding artistic quality and level, and dare to state our position on various unhealthy literary works, phenomena, and trends of thought, especially on matters of fundamental principle. In the internet age, digital technology has brought changes to media dissemination methods, and new media platforms have changed the forms of literary and artistic production and communication, giving rise to a large number of new artistic types and causing profound changes in literary concepts and practices. We must adapt to the development of the situation, handle the production of internet-based literature and art well, strengthen positive guidance, resist unhealthy styles such as the "Three Vulgars" (low-brow, vulgar, and kitsch) [13], and create a clean and upright environment for internet-based literature and art.
(2) Achieving Cultural Prosperity through Upholding the Fundamentals and Breaking New Ground
Upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground (守正创新) is an inevitable requirement of the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization. This path must persist in upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground, basing itself on the great practice of building a strong country and national rejuvenation, while facing the world and the future. "Upholding the fundamentals" (守正) means guarding the direction, path, system, position, principles, and nature of cultural development. Only by upholding the fundamentals can we ensure that the cultural development of Chinese-path modernization follows the correct direction on the right path of history. This requires that we must persist in the fundamental system of the guiding position of Marxism in the ideological field, persist in the CPC's cultural leadership, persist in the cultural subjectivity of the Chinese nation, and persist in comprehensively deepening the reform of cultural systems and mechanisms. "Breaking new ground" (创新) refers to creating new ideas, new discourses, new mechanisms, and new forms for the development of Chinese-path modernization's culture. Only by daring to innovate can we ensure the advanced nature of the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization and better shoulder new cultural missions. Therefore, "upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground" means basing ourselves on reality, persisting in Marxist guidance, following the socialist road, practicing the "Two Combinations," and unswervingly following the path of a socialist cultural powerhouse with Chinese characteristics.
"Upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground" requires holding fast to the "right path" (正道) on the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization. This path must have the resolve to hold fast to the right path. This means guarding the guiding position of Marxism in the ideological field and holding fast to the "soul-vein" (魂脉) of Marxism and the "root-vein" (根脉) of fine traditional Chinese culture—neither acting like the man "carving a mark on a boat to find a sword" [14] (closed and rigid) nor copying others blindly and failing to digest foreign influences [15]. Specifically, this means persisting in arming the whole Party, educating the people, and guiding practical work with the Party’s innovative theories, and unswervingly persisting in the guiding position of Marxism in the ideological field. We must establish and improve mechanisms for the protection of cultural heritage, promote the "productive" and "living" protection of intangible cultural heritage, and promote the integration of fine traditional Chinese culture into the daily lives of the masses. We must resolutely resist the trend of vulgarization used to gain traffic and catch eyes. We must persist in leading fashions with "bright virtue" (明德), construct a system for inheriting traditional Chinese virtues, continuously promote the construction of social morality, professional ethics, family virtues, and personal integrity, and establish a long-term mechanism for the construction of social credit, creating a good atmosphere of bright virtue and guarding the spiritual and civilizational baseline of the people.
"Upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground" requires developing "new quality productive forces" in culture on the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization. New quality productive forces in culture are key to promoting the high-quality development of the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization. New quality productive forces in culture are an advanced form of productive forces that take high technology as technical support and innovation as the driving force to promote cultural production and services with high quality and high efficiency. In the New Era, where a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation is developing rapidly, the driving effect of science and technology on cultural innovation has become more significant. With the deep integration of digital technology and culture, traditional cultural content is being transformed into digital cultural resources, and digital technology allows people to have immersive experiences of different cultural scenarios. Developing new quality productive forces in culture inevitably requires culture to achieve digital transformation, changing traditional modes of content dissemination, achieving multi-dimensional forms of cultural expression, and promoting the emergence of new types of cultural products and business formats such as digital imagery, digital design, digital games, digital animation, digital literature, and digital music. Furthermore, new quality productive forces in culture ultimately depend on innovative talent. This requires doing a good job in the top-level design of the talent strategy for the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization, accelerating the construction of talent cultivation systems in cross-disciplinary fields such as culture and technology or culture and creativity, and cultivating a massive team of outstanding cultural talents. In short, we need to firmly grasp the developmental opportunities brought by the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, further enhance cultural and technological innovation capabilities, vigorously develop new quality productive forces in culture, improve cultural services and supply systems, and promote the high-quality development of cultural undertakings and cultural industries to serve the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization.
(3) Deepening Mutual Learning among Civilizations through Openness and Inclusiveness
Chinese civilization possesses the distinct traits of openness and inclusiveness. The cultural path of Chinese-path modernization is not closed off; rather, it is a new form of civilization and a sustainable development path that integrates global civilizations while highlighting Chinese cultural subjectivity. As a prominent characteristic of Chinese civilization, openness and inclusiveness have always run through the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization and continuously innovated the forms of civilization.
Forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation. Chinese-path modernization is the modernization of the Chinese nation. The Chinese nation is an ethnic community formed during the several-thousand-year historical development of Chinese civilization. In constructing the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization, we must forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation. First, we must improve the normalized publicity and education mechanism for forging a sense of community for the Chinese nation. Through continuous and systematic publicity and education, people can more deeply understand the significance and value of the Chinese nation as a community, enhancing their sense of identity and belonging to the Chinese nation and Chinese civilization. Second, we must promote interaction, exchange, and integration (交往交流交融) among various ethnic groups. By strengthening education on national unity and progress, we can promote mutual understanding and respect among all ethnic groups and break down barriers and prejudices. Third, we must actively create social conditions for people of all ethnic groups to live, study, build, share, work, and enjoy themselves together, allowing people to deepen their mutual understanding and friendship in their common life and work. For example, expanding ethnic unity activities like Guizhou’s "Village Super League" (Cun Chao) and "Village BA" [16] into national activities to expand interactions among ethnic groups. Furthermore, we must strengthen the promotion and use of the standard national spoken and written language (Putonghua). We must unswervingly promote the use of nationally compiled textbooks to ensure that youth of all ethnic groups master the national language, further strengthening communication and eliminating language barriers. By accepting with an open mind and integrating with an inclusive attitude, we can jointly forge a sense of community for the Chinese nation, gathering the centripetal force of the entire nation to strive for the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization and building a shared spiritual home for all ethnic groups.
Promoting exchange and mutual learning among world civilizations. The cultural path of Chinese-path modernization profoundly reflects the cosmos-view [17] and the "all-under-heaven" view [18] of the Chinese nation, as well as the grand pattern and broad-mindedness of Chinese civilization’s openness and inclusiveness. Throughout history, Chinese civilization has revitalized its vitality through exchange and mutual learning with other civilizations. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen international dialogue and enhance identity with the common values of all humanity. This includes recognizing and understanding the spiritual resources and value pursuits nurtured by different countries and nations, and respecting the explorations of different countries and peoples regarding the paths to realizing these values, thereby promoting mutual understanding and trust among all nations. We must respect and maintain the diversity of world civilizations, opposing any form of "civilizational superiority" or "clash of civilizations" theories. We advocate for equal dialogue between civilizations and encourage people of all countries to carry out exchanges and mutual learning on the basis of mutual respect. We should improve international cultural exchange mechanisms, build brands for international cultural exchange activities, and actively conduct various forms of international humanities exchanges to promote mutual understanding and friendship. Openness and inclusiveness provide methodological guidance for drawing upon and absorbing all the outstanding achievements of human civilization; they provide a continuous stream of ideological and cultural resources for promoting the progress of human civilization and breaking the confinement of Western modernization models.
Conclusion
The cultural path of Chinese-path modernization is a process of cultural construction rooted in a profound understanding of the totality of Chinese civilization. Rooted in the deep heritage of fine traditional Chinese culture, it possesses solid Chinese cultural foundations, a distinct people-centered character, and vigorous cultural vitality. It is a cultural development model distinct from Western modernization—a unique and vibrant path of development explored by the people under the leadership of the Party within the context of the New Era, realizing the development of Marxist modernization theory and the transcendence of the civilizational values of Western modernization. The exploration of the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization is a dynamic and continuous process; its formation and development possess profound historical, practical, and institutional logic, profoundly reflecting the developmental direction of Chinese civilization and holding significant importance for the progress of China and global civilization.
The cultural path of Chinese-path modernization is guided by principles such as adhering to the "Two Combinations" [19], remaining people-centered, and maintaining Chinese cultural subjectivity. The cultural path of Chinese-path modernization is one of continuous development and refinement. We should further deepen the reform of cultural systems and mechanisms, grasping the direction of development through value guidance, achieving cultural prosperity through upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground, and deepening mutual learning among civilizations through openness and inclusiveness. We must constantly innovate cultural expression and create a new form of human civilization to provide powerful cultural support for Chinese-path modernization. The cultural path of Chinese-path modernization is a profound civilizational transformation; it deeply understands and responds to the realistic needs and developmental goals of contemporary China. This path not only carries the historical memories of the past but also shapes the cultural vision of the future; it not only serves domestic developmental needs but also provides the international community with a beneficial "China solution" [20] and experiences to draw upon. Therefore, the continuous exploration and perfection of the cultural path of Chinese-path modernization has irreplaceable theoretical value and practical significance for consolidating and developing socialist culture with Chinese characteristics and enhancing the country's cultural soft power.