Xi Jinping's Important Expositions on Fine Traditional Chinese Culture and Their Innovative Contributions
Xi Jinping pointed out in the report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC: "To continue writing new chapters in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism is the solemn historical responsibility of contemporary Chinese Communists," and emphasized that "to uphold and develop Marxism, we must integrate it with fine traditional Chinese culture." This profoundly elucidates the important position of fine traditional Chinese culture in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, and demonstrates its significance and epochal value for comprehensively building a great modern socialist country and comprehensively advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Centering on fine traditional Chinese culture, Xi Jinping has put forward many important assertions. Systematically organizing and scientifically elucidating these new viewpoints and ideas is both an inevitable requirement for comprehensively grasping Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and an inherent meaning of continuing to advance the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism.
I. The Basis for the Formation of Xi Jinping’s Important Expositions on Fine Traditional Chinese Culture
The formation of Xi Jinping’s important expositions on fine traditional Chinese culture possesses a profound theoretical, historical, and practical logic.
Marxist ideas and viewpoints on traditional culture provide the theoretical basis. Xi Jinping’s examination and understanding of fine traditional Chinese culture are rooted in the soil of Marxist theory. He consistently maintains a scientific perspective, method, and attitude, preserving the essential character of Marxist theory while drawing deep theoretical nourishment. First is to correctly understand traditional culture through critique. Influenced by past productive forces and relations of production, traditional culture inevitably contains obsolete or even decadent and backward elements; on the other hand, it also condenses the essence of its era. Therefore, one must view traditional culture dialectically. Second is to carry forward fine traditional culture through inheritance. Marx pointed out that people "make their own history... under circumstances directly encountered, given and transmitted from the past." This viewpoint profoundly reveals the importance of historical and cultural traditions, indicating that only by being adept at inheriting fine traditional culture and fully grasping it as the "given conditions" for real-world development can we better serve the development of the era. Third is to promote the innovative development of fine traditional culture. Culture has its own laws of development and does not necessarily remain synchronized with its era. This allows "people in the struggles of a later period to rely on the prestige of theorists from a previous era," by fully drawing on the strength of fine traditional culture to serve the era through cultural innovation.
The Party's basic attitude toward fine traditional Chinese culture has consolidated the historical foundation. Xi Jinping pointed out that the Communist Party of China has been a "faithful inheritor and promoter of fine traditional Chinese culture" since its founding. The century-long history of the Party condenses the basic attitude and primary stance of the CPC in inheriting and promoting fine traditional Chinese culture. First, looking across the century of Party history, the CPC has always attached importance to and inherited fine traditional Chinese culture. During the New Democratic Revolution [1] period, Mao Zedong pointed out the need to "study our historical legacy" and stated that "from Confucius to Sun Yat-sen, we should provide a summary." During the period of socialist revolution and construction, Mao Zedong further proposed policies for inheriting traditional culture such as "weeding through the old to bring forth the new" [2] and "making the past serve the present." Since the reform and opening up, Deng Xiaoping also emphasized the importance of history and culture, borrowing the term "moderate prosperity" (xiaokang) from the Book of Rites: The Conveyance of Rites [3] to refer to China's modernization. Jiang Zemin also emphasized that history cannot be severed, and proposed the idea of combining the rule of law with the rule of virtue in national governance. Hu Jintao further clarified the historical status, development direction, excavation, protection, education, and development of fine traditional Chinese culture. Entering the New Era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, Xi Jinping has further elucidated the importance of continuing historical culture from multiple perspectives such as spiritual lifeblood, cultural genes, and prominent advantages, bringing the understanding of fine traditional Chinese culture to a new level. Second, viewing the century of Party history horizontally, the CPC holds a stable stance on fine traditional Chinese culture. The CPC has always adhered to the fundamental stance of Marxism and insisted on combining the basic tenets of Marxism with fine traditional Chinese culture. On one hand, it draws nourishment from fine traditional Chinese culture to provide important historical and cultural support for advancing Sinicized Marxism. On the other hand, it adheres to the guidance of Marxism to promote the inheritance and innovation of fine traditional Chinese culture, allowing Chinese culture to once again burst forth with powerful vitality.
The practical needs of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era have laid the realistic foundation. Theory can only gain lasting vitality if it responds to the questions of the times, interprets the mission of development, and meets practical needs. In discussing fine traditional Chinese culture, Xi Jinping always stands at the new coordinates of the era, fully utilizing the rich intellectual resources and spiritual incentives of fine traditional Chinese culture to serve the governance of the country, providing strong practical support. First, achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is inseparable from fine traditional Chinese culture. Fine traditional Chinese culture, accumulated over the long historical process, can provide beneficial intellectual enlightenment, institutional inspiration, and experiential lessons for China’s current development. More importantly, as the cultural root of national self-esteem and self-confidence, fine traditional Chinese culture provides a "more proactive spiritual power" for achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Second, resolving practical dilemmas and development problems is inseparable from fine traditional Chinese culture. Regarding domestic development, fine traditional Chinese culture plays an important role in meeting the people's yearning for a beautiful and enriched spiritual life, further maintaining national cultural security, and promoting the reunification of the motherland. Regarding international development, fine traditional Chinese culture provides theoretical enlightenment for solving many global problems and possesses significant global value.
II. The Main Content of Xi Jinping’s Important Expositions on Fine Traditional Chinese Culture
Xi Jinping examines fine traditional Chinese culture with a profound historical perspective. Revolving around the four dimensions of grasping the pulse of the era, expanding theoretical depth, clarifying practical orientation, and focusing on innovative development, he has unfolded specific expositions across four main aspects: new positioning, basic connotations, modern value, and inheritance and promotion. The content is detailed and rich, and the language is vivid, possessing a strong "traditional flavor" and a distinct "style of the era."
Clarifying the new positioning of fine traditional Chinese culture from a new historical perspective. Xi Jinping defines fine traditional Chinese culture anew by placing it within the development process of the Chinese nation, the developmental path of China's current era, and the developmental trends of world civilization. This positioning is high-level, broad in scope, and far-reaching in intent. First, from the perspective of the nation's development process, fine traditional Chinese culture is the spiritual nourishment for the Chinese nation's continuous growth and survival. Second, from the choice of China's developmental path, fine traditional Chinese culture is the fertile cultural soil in which socialism with Chinese characteristics is rooted. The path of socialism with Chinese characteristics has drawn rich intellectual resources from fine traditional Chinese culture, while relying on the continuity and stability of the Chinese cultural lineage to obtain an inexhaustible source of development and unique developmental advantages. Third, from the perspective of the overall development of world civilization, fine traditional Chinese culture continues to contribute strength to the progress and development of human civilization.
Vividly elucidating the basic connotations of fine traditional Chinese culture from all directions and multiple angles. When discussing fine traditional Chinese culture, Xi Jinping focuses on historical development while conducting theoretical induction; he grasps the overall picture while summarizing the essence; he emphasizes original classics while mastering fundamental characteristics. He deeply analyzes the theoretical connotations of fine traditional Chinese culture from multiple directions and perspectives, expanding the scientific, comprehensive, and systematic nature of our understanding. First, he organizes the development process and main threads of fine traditional Chinese culture. Second, he refines the content structure and intellectual essence of fine traditional Chinese culture, pointing out that core spiritual essentials such as "benevolence, people as the foundation, integrity, justice, harmony, and the Great Unity" [4] are the unique cultural hallmarks that distinguish the Chinese nation from others. Third, he elucidates the prominent features and unique charm of fine traditional Chinese culture.
Adhering to the materialist conception of history to correctly recognize the modern value of fine traditional Chinese culture. Facing the precious legacy formed through thousands of years of historical inheritance, Xi Jinping pointed out: "Historical and cultural heritage carries the genes and bloodline of the Chinese nation; it belongs not only to our generation but also to generations to come." We must adhere to the materialist conception of history, correctly recognize fine traditional Chinese culture, and fully give play to its important epochal value for national development, social construction, individual improvement, and world cultural exchange. First, it provides important cultural support for national prosperity and strength. Fine traditional Chinese culture, with its profound content, diverse forms, and strong attraction and influence, possesses important epochal value for advancing the building of a socialist cultural power and provides beneficial intellectual enlightenment for improving current national governance capacity and levels. Second, it provides a stable value foundation for social governance. Through thousands of years of historical development, fine traditional Chinese culture has become rooted in the hearts of every Chinese person; it is the inherent root of value identity and can lay a good cultural and value foundation for social governance. Third, it provides rich intellectual resources for the people's happiness. The rich life philosophy and methods of moral cultivation contained in fine traditional Chinese culture provide the people with rich spiritual nourishment, constantly inspiring them to achieve a happy life in the pursuit of high spiritual realms. Fourth, it provides a precious window for cultural exchange and development. Faced with the new characteristics of diverse cultural exchanges and interactions worldwide today, fine traditional Chinese culture consistently seeks to go global. On the basis of equality and respect for all nations' cultures, it actively promotes the exchange and development of different cultures, constantly adding to the diversity of world culture.
Adhering to the stance of Chinese culture to promote the inheritance and promotion of fine traditional Chinese culture. Regarding the inheritance and promotion of fine traditional Chinese culture, Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized the need to stick to the stance of Chinese culture—maintaining national characteristics and safeguarding cultural identity while adapting to the needs of the era—to continuously achieve transformation and innovation. First, he clarified the basic policy for the inheritance and promotion of fine traditional Chinese culture, which is the "Two Creatives" policy of promoting the "creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture." Second, he clarified the main principles for inheritance and promotion. Specifically, this involves not forgetting the original while using the past to learn for the present, absorbing foreign elements while maintaining our own focus, and facing the future while being more oriented toward the world. Third, he elucidated the specific paths for inheritance and promotion, including theoretical interpretation, educational popularization, protection of cultural heritage, literary and artistic creation, product development, and innovative communication methods.
III. The Innovative Contributions of Xi Jinping’s Important Expositions on Fine Traditional Chinese Culture
Under the new historical perspective and background of the era, Xi Jinping has put forward many new viewpoints and assertions regarding fine traditional Chinese culture. These new ideas have further deepened the Party's understanding of fine traditional Chinese culture, promoted the prosperity and development of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics, continuously opened up new realms of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and contributed Chinese wisdom and strength to world development, demonstrating the responsibility of a major power.
Comprehensively elucidating fine traditional Chinese culture and deepening the Party's understanding of it. When discussing fine traditional Chinese culture, Xi Jinping systematically answered the two major questions of "What is fine traditional Chinese culture?" and "How should we treat it?", further expanding the horizons and depth of our understanding. First, he deepened the Party's theoretical understanding of fine traditional Chinese culture. Xi Jinping followed the logical progression of "Why—What—How to treat—How to inherit" to deeply explain fine traditional Chinese culture and creatively proposed many new viewpoints, achieving major theoretical innovation. Second, he broadened the Party's practical application of fine traditional Chinese culture. In important speeches, visits, and symposiums, Xi Jinping has directly cited texts from traditional classics, making the language more vivid, popular, and close to reality and the people. This has made theoretical discourse more infectious and capable of explaining reality, truly transforming historical wisdom into the practical results of national governance. Furthermore, Xi Jinping has further refined the channels and methods for the inheritance and development of fine traditional Chinese culture, putting these efforts into practice.
By linking cultural self-confidence [5] with cultural soft power, we can cause the culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics to flourish and develop. In his exposition on fine traditional Chinese culture, Xi Jinping integrates it with the missions and tasks of contemporary cultural development, thereby responding to the concerns of the age. First, he emphasizes that fine traditional Chinese culture is the root of cultural self-confidence, pointing out that to strengthen cultural self-confidence, one must first respect, inherit, and innovate upon fine traditional Chinese culture. Second, he emphasizes that fine traditional Chinese culture constitutes the deepest form of cultural soft power. Xi Jinping has frequently discussed the profound influence of fine traditional Chinese culture on the way Chinese people understand the world, contemplate problems, and conduct interpersonal relations. He has elucidated its nurturing role in value identity, value judgment, and value choice, closely linking fine traditional Chinese culture with the cultivation of values and cultural soft power. He points out that fine traditional Chinese culture provides the ideological and cultural support for enhancing cultural soft power, while fine traditional Chinese culture itself constitutes an indispensable and vital component of building robust cultural soft power.
By fully applying this culture within the overall framework of governance, we can continuously open new horizons for socialism with Chinese characteristics. Regarding fine traditional Chinese culture, Xi Jinping holds a more proactive stance. First, he emphasizes that fine traditional Chinese culture provides a wealth of ideological resources for governance. The proposal, exposition, and deepening of many new ideas in current governance have fully drawn upon historical wisdom and obtained ideological inspiration from Chinese culture. The Communiqué of the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee pointed out that Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era "is the essence of Chinese culture and the Chinese spirit in the contemporary era and marks a new breakthrough in the Sinicization of Marxism," fully highlighting the significant importance of fine traditional Chinese culture for the development of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Second, he indicates that fine traditional Chinese culture provides cultural support for the path of Chinese-path modernization. Unique modes of thinking, continuous spiritual impetus, and profound intellectual support provide this path with powerful endogenous developmental momentum, enabling the continuous advancement of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the opening of new horizons for development.
The importance of looking toward the future with a global perspective is emphasized, demonstrating China’s image and contributing wisdom to world development. As socialism with Chinese characteristics enters the New Era, and in the face of numerous new characteristics in the relationship between China and the world, Xi Jinping has gained profound insight into the underlying laws of their evolution. When discussing fine traditional Chinese culture, he has proposed many new ideas and viewpoints based on the general trends of global development. First, he attaches great importance to cultural exchange and mutual learning, emphasizing the need to actively promote fine traditional Chinese culture "going global," showing the world a comprehensive, objective, and true, as well as a vivid, lively, and multi-dimensional China, thereby shaping a positive image of a major-country civilization. Second, he emphasizes the continuous contribution of Chinese wisdom. Xi Jinping pointed out that we must "promote the innovative development of global governance concepts and actively explore the resonance points between the positive ways of conducting oneself and governance philosophies found in Chinese culture and the present era," contributing Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions to the continuous advancement of the innovative development of global governance concepts.