Jiang Hui: Gathering Powerful Spiritual Strength for a New Chongqing on the New Journey of the New Era
The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) links the great cause of the past century with the future mission of national rejuvenation. Grounded in the historical coordinates of the New Era and the new journey, the Congress outlined a grand strategic blueprint for building a [modern socialist country in all respects] [1] and comprehensively advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, making comprehensive arrangements for all undertakings of the Party and the country. The Second Plenary Session of the Sixth Chongqing Municipal CPC Committee closely aligned itself with the comprehensive study, promotion, and implementation of the spirit of the 20th National Congress. It systematically planned a grand blueprint for a "New Chongqing" on a new journey in the New Era, clarified the positioning, goals, and requirements for future development, and proposed the construction of a culturally strong city in the New Era. The propaganda, ideological, and cultural fronts in Chongqing have focused on the primary theme of studying, promoting, and implementing the spirit of the 20th National Congress, planning their work within the grand context of Chinese-path modernization and arranging it within the new journey of the New Era. They are making every effort to ensure the spirit of the 20th National Congress takes root, blossoms, and bears fruit in Chongqing.
Firmly Upholding the "Two Establishments" and Resolutely Achieving the "Two Upholds": Achieving New Efficacy in Studying, Promoting, and Implementing the Spirit of the 20th National Congress
The 20th National Congress of the CPC was a highly important meeting held at a critical moment when the entire Party and the people of all ethnic groups are embarking on a new journey to build a modern socialist country in all respects and marching toward the Second Centenary Goal [2]. It possesses profound political, theoretical, strategic, and practical significance. Studying, promoting, and implementing the spirit of the 20th National Congress is the primary political task for the current and future periods, and a major political responsibility that the propaganda, ideological, and cultural fronts must shoulder. Following the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping regarding "comprehensive study, comprehensive grasp, and comprehensive implementation," we have further increased our efforts to continuously push the study, promotion, and implementation of the spirit of the 20th National Congress into greater depth, practical application, and people's hearts.
We are focusing on deepening the study, promotion, and implementation of the spirit of the 20th National Congress. First, we are re-strengthening study and comprehension. We utilize platforms such as Theoretical Study Central Groups [3], intensive training for Party members and cadres, the "Xuexi Qiangguo" (Study the Powerful Nation) Chongqing platform, and the online version of the "Forging Ahead in the New Era" theme achievement exhibition. We conduct in-depth research-based, discussion-based, and experiential learning to guide Party members and cadres in their study. Second, we are expanding promotion and outreach. By enriching carriers and innovating methods, we conduct centralized, face-to-face, interactive, and targeted outreach. We promote the spirit of the 20th National Congress in government organs, enterprises, urban and rural communities, campuses, various new economic and social organizations, and websites. We manage special columns such as "Comprehensively Promoting the Spirit of the 20th National Congress to Take Root in Chongqing" and deepen mass-themed activities like "Great Nation Rejuvenation Has Me." We also launch artistic activities centered on "Singing for the New Journey and Praising the New Era" to present a panoramic view of the city's efforts. Third, we are improving the conversion of study into action. Centered on implementing the spirit of the 20th National Congress and opening new horizons for propaganda and cultural work, we are conducting extensive field research and preparing for the municipal conference on propaganda, ideological, and cultural work.
We are focusing on ensuring that Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era enters the minds and hearts of the people. First, we are conducting in-depth thematic education on studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Following the general requirements of "studying the thought, strengthening Party spirit, emphasizing practice, and building new merits," we adhere to the integration of study, thought, and application, and the unity of knowledge, belief, and action. We guide the city's Party members and cadres to transform this Thought into a powerful force for firming ideals, tempering Party spirit, guiding practice, and promoting work. Second, we are implementing a plan for the study and education of the Party's innovative theories. We study General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important works in their original form and substance, promoting the entry of these theories into textbooks, classrooms, and students' minds. We guide cadres and the masses to master the worldview, methodology, and the positions, viewpoints, and methods [4] that permeate them. Third, we support theoretical armament with solid research. We are implementing the Chongqing Philosophy and Social Sciences Innovation Project, strengthening the academic interpretation of the Party's innovative theories, hosting forums and academic seminars, and making the "Chongqing-labeled" social science brand shine to produce recognizable results. Fourth, we are helping the Party's innovative theories "fly into the homes of ordinary people" [5]. We conduct "Mini-outreach" on studying new ideas, deepen outreach programs like "Six Entries" [6] and "Face-to-Face with Models," promote the "Three Entries" (into textbooks, classrooms, and minds) of the multi-language versions of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, and create a series of integrated media products to make theoretical communication more distinct, vivid, and engaging.
Focusing on the Center and Serving the Big Picture: Providing New Momentum for Building a New Socialist Modernized Chongqing
The report to the 20th National Congress pointed out that from this day forward, the central task of the CPC will be to lead the Chinese people of all ethnic groups in a concerted effort to realize the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and to advance the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization. The Second Plenary Session of the Sixth Chongqing Municipal CPC Committee aligned with the spirit of the 20th National Congress and proposed the theme of "New Era, New Journey, New Chongqing," making arrangements for building a new socialist modernized Chongqing. Closely following the major decisions of the Party Central Committee and the central work of the Municipal Committee, we adhere to the principle of focusing on positive propaganda to create a favorable public opinion atmosphere and provide strong spiritual power for Chongqing’s modernization.
We are focusing on creating a dominant mainstream public opinion for building a new socialist modernized Chongqing. First, we strengthen positive propaganda centered on "strengthening confidence." We treat the study and promotion of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speeches as a vital political task, meticulously explaining important meetings, major activities, and key policies. We conduct thematic promotion for the "New Era, New Journey, New Chongqing" and carry out interviews like "Researching High-Quality Development," showcasing the practice and results of "where the General Secretary gives the order and the Central Committee makes arrangements, Chongqing takes action." Second, we strengthen public opinion guidance centered on "uniting people's hearts." We are building the Chongqing News Topic Management Platform and creating the "Minsheng Zhitongche" (People's Voice Express) integrated media platform for public inquiry. We organize journalists to go to the front lines of New Chongqing’s construction to discover "living news" and tell the stories of changes in the Land of Ba and Yu [7] from the perspective of the people. Third, we strengthen positive online energy centered on "warming people's hearts." We are improving mechanisms such as the "Positive Energy Manuscript Pool," focusing on major strategies like the construction of the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle and the New Western Land-Sea Corridor, and meticulously organizing major online thematic propaganda.
We are focusing on telling China’s story well and spreading Chongqing’s voice. First, we are establishing an objective and efficacy system for international communication. We aim to build Chongqing into a regional international communication center, modernizing platforms, facilities, and modes of communication. We are pushing for media communication to become mobile, social, and visual, while ensuring cultural dissemination is market-oriented and interactive. Second, we are constructing a platform system for international communication capacity. We are collectively building core, base, think-tank, and media platforms, accelerating the construction of the Western International Communication Center. This will drive the formation of a professional international communication matrix covering the whole city and establish bases for innovative international communication and cultural exchange. Third, we are highlighting the city's communication brand projects. We are implementing projects such as "Land-Sea Link" for foreign exchange and "Perceiving Chongqing" for favorable perception, shaping New Chongqing’s image as an open "Land-Sea City," a vibrant metropolis, a green "City of Hills and Valleys," and a culturally diverse city.
Staying Close to Life and Serving the Masses: Driving New Breakthroughs in the Construction of a Culturally Strong City in the New Era
The 20th National Congress clarified that building a culturally strong country is one of the overall goals of basically realizing socialist modernization by 2035. It requires building a socialist cultural power by "upholding the banner, uniting the people, fostering newcomers, vitalizing culture, and presenting a good image." Chinese-path modernization is a modernization in which material and spiritual civilizations are coordinated; building a culturally strong country is an important component and support for comprehensively building a modern socialist country. We align our work with the strategic deployments of the 20th National Congress, driving the construction of a culturally strong city to meet the people’s spiritual and cultural needs and promote all-around human development.
We are focusing on using Socialist Core Values to "soul-build and educate" [8]. First, we are improving the system for cultivating and practicing Socialist Core Values. We are strengthening the review mechanism for incorporating these values into laws and regulations, implementing civic morality projects, and conducting "Grand Ideological and Political Courses" (da sizhengke) for the new journey. We are expanding brands like "Touching Chongqing" and "Good People of Chongqing" while building "New Era Talent Databases." Second, we are inheriting "Red Genes." We are implementing projects to promote the Hongyan Spirit [9], clarifying its inner meaning, building the Hongyan Cultural Park, and ensuring the "Regulations on the Protection and Inheritance of Red Resources in Chongqing" are fully implemented to create a demonstration zone for the inheritance of Red Genes. Third, we are promoting a new civilizational trend across the Land of Ba and Yu. We are coordinating civilizational cultivation and practice, carrying out integrity construction and "Family Traditions Nourishing Every Home" activities. We are deepening the reform of outdated customs through the "Ten Prohibitions and Ten Advocacies" [10], improving the volunteer service system, and building demonstration belts for civilizational practice in the New Era, striving for a demonstration zone for the integrated development of urban and rural spiritual civilization.
We are focusing on accelerating the prosperity of cultural undertakings and industries. First, we are producing masterpiece works in the "Chongqing Style." We are implementing quality improvement projects for artistic and literary works, particularly those with realistic themes. We are building key art troupes and planning major works such as the film The Mountain Opener (Kaishanren) and the TV series Hearts United Under Heaven (Tianxia Tongxin). Second, we are constructing a high-level public cultural service system. We are implementing plans for new public cultural spaces, deepening "Reading for All" activities, and building community bookshelves, village history halls, and intangible cultural heritage experience centers to revitalize rural culture. We are building the Chongqing sections of the Yangtze River and Long March National Cultural Parks to a high standard, promoting the digitization of Yangtze River poetry and major heritage protection projects. Third, we are enhancing the innovation and competitiveness of the cultural industry. We are strengthening cultural market entities, pushing for the deep integration of culture and tourism, and accelerating the construction of the Bashu Cultural and Tourism Corridor.
Upholding the Fundamentals and Breaking New Ground: Creating New Advantages in Propaganda, Ideological, and Cultural Work
The 20th National Congress put forward many new and higher requirements for propaganda, ideological, and cultural work in the New Era. This work faces new situations and tasks and requires innovation more than ever. We adhere to innovative concepts, methods, and mechanisms, planning a new blueprint for development through new leaps in ideological understanding. We are opening new horizons through new paths for work, ensuring that propaganda and cultural work move forward steadily on the path of high-quality development.
We are focusing on building an omni-media dissemination system. First, we are deepening the integration of media. We are building a city-wide integrated media platform, creating a "Media Brain," "Command Center," and "Content Database" shared by the municipal and district levels. We are accelerating the digital transformation of the Chongqing Daily Newspaper Group and Chongqing Broadcasting Group, optimizing "Central Kitchens" [11], and strengthening the construction of district and county integrated media centers. Second, we are improving the coordination mechanism for the "Three Sentiments" (sanqing). We are strengthening the monitoring, analysis, and closed-loop management of important media sentiment (meiqing), internet sentiment (wangqing), and social sentiment (sheqing). We aim to discover the "Three Sentiments" immediately, speak out with authority to clarify stances, and respond promptly to emerging issues and social concerns.
We are focusing on the digital reform of propaganda, ideological, and cultural work. First, we are focusing on overall institutional design. We are integrating the digital transformation of cultural undertakings into Chongqing's digital society construction, the building of a culturally strong city, and the city's cultural system reform. We are pioneering the exploration of AI, big data, cloud computing, the metaverse, algorithmic recommendation, XR (extended reality), and Web 3.0, taking the initiative in using technology to empower cultural work. Second, we are promoting the digitization of spiritual and cultural products and services. We are building information platforms for theoretical study, innovatively conducting "Cloud Outreach" and "Cloud Seminars," and integrating digitalization into the production, transmission, and distribution of news. We use new technologies to develop new media, smart broadcasting, digital publishing, and online audio-visual industries, ensuring the digital presentation of refined literary and publishing works and implementing representative digitization projects for traditional culture.