Wang Weiguo: Cultivating a High-Spirited and Vigorous Temperament for the Entire Nation
"The rejuvenation of a nation requires both strong material power and strong spiritual power." Spirit is the soul upon which a nation relies for its survival and development; temperament is the external manifestation of a nation's character and integrity. The spiritual temperament reflects the fundamental character and atmosphere of an era, and it determines the future and destiny of the nation. The Proposal of the CPC Central Committee on Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development clearly proposed to "cultivate a spirited and high-spirited spiritual temperament for the whole nation." This provides important guidance and adherence for the flourishing of socialist culture and for the forceful advancement of Chinese-path modernization that coordinates material and spiritual civilizations.
The Theoretical Foundation of Cultivating a Spirited and High-Spirited Spiritual Temperament for the Whole Nation
Cultivating a spirited and high-spirited spiritual temperament for the whole nation is the practical unfolding of the Marxist materialist conception of history regarding the masses. Marx pointed out: "History is the activity of the masses; as the historical activity deepens, the ranks of the masses will inevitably expand." The Marxist materialist conception of history scientifically reveals that in the long river of history, the people—through unremitting struggle and infinite wisdom—have not only created rich material wealth and laid a solid material foundation for social progress but have also nurtured a magnificent spiritual culture, becoming an inexhaustible driving force for the comprehensive development of society. Cultivating a spirited and high-spirited spiritual temperament for the whole nation is precisely a vivid practice of the Marxist materialist conception of history. It aims to continuously stimulate the people’s spirit of historical initiative [1] amidst the great practices of the New Era, transforming it into a powerful spiritual force for the comprehensive building of a modern socialist country.
Cultivating a spirited and high-spirited spiritual temperament for the whole nation is the contemporary expression of the inherent vitality and continuity of Chinese civilization. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Chinese civilization has continuously developed through inheritance and innovation, and has been continuously sublimated while adapting to time and circumstances. It accumulates the deepest spiritual pursuits of the Chinese nation and provides rich nourishment for its continuous growth and expansion." Extending over several millennia, Chinese civilization has always upheld the spirit of struggle—"As heaven's movement is ever vigorous, the superior man ceaselessly strengthens himself" [2]; the consciousness of innovation—"If you can renovate yourself one day, do so from day to day; yea, let there be daily renovation" [3]; the sentiment of family and country—"The rise and fall of all under heaven is the responsibility of the individual" [4]; and the people-centered ideology—"The people are the foundation of the state; when the foundation is solid, the state is at peace" [5]. These spiritual traits are deeply rooted in the cultural gene of the Chinese nation, becoming the powerful spiritual support that has allowed the nation to stand tall despite tribulations and remain vibrant through the vicissitudes of time. Cultivating a spirited and high-spirited spiritual temperament for the whole nation means deeply excavating and inheriting these spiritual traits within Chinese civilization, allowing them to radiate new vigor and vitality in the New Era and become the internal driving force for the Chinese nation's continuous advancement. This cultivation of spiritual temperament is a profound reflection of the Chinese nation's spiritual pursuits, inspiring every son and daughter of China to forge ahead courageously and struggle unremittingly on the journey of the New Era.
Cultivating a spirited and high-spirited spiritual temperament for the whole nation is an inevitable requirement for achieving common prosperity in the spiritual life of all people. The Communist Party of China has always taken the people’s aspiration for a better life as its goal of struggle, committing itself to meeting the people’s ever-growing needs for a better life—especially diverse, high-quality needs in terms of ideological concepts, value orientations, moral pursuits, and aesthetic tastes—and guiding the people to establish correct views of history, nation, state, and culture. Cultivating a spirited and high-spirited spiritual temperament for the whole nation means continuously stimulating the people’s spiritual vitality and creative enthusiasm within the great practices of the New Era, enriching the people’s spiritual world, elevating their spiritual realm, and strengthening their spiritual power. This enables the people, in the process of pursuing their personal dreams, to collectively shape and display the uplifting spiritual outlook of the Chinese nation, thereby promoting a positive and enterprising atmosphere throughout society and laying a solid foundation for achieving common prosperity in the spiritual life of all people.
Core Requirements for Cultivating a Spirited and High-Spirited Spiritual Temperament for the Whole Nation
Invigorating the zhiqi (lofty aspiration) of the Chinese nation to struggle in unity and overcome difficulties. Zhiqi is the spiritual pillar that drives the entire nation to forge ahead with vigor. The reason the Chinese nation has been able to remain resilient through storms in the course of history is precisely due to this aspiration of unity and facing difficulties head-on. Invigorating this aspiration means continuing to inherit and carry forward the fine tradition of united struggle in the New Era, cultivating the courage to meet challenges, garnering the wisdom and strength of the whole nation to jointly respond to various risks and challenges, daring to face and resolve various difficult problems on the path of development, and continuously promoting economic and social progress. United struggle requires individuals to transcend local interests and, under the guidance of common ideals, build consensus, realize the integration of resources and the convergence of strength, and effectively respond to the structural challenges in economic and social development.
Displaying the guqi (moral backbone) of the Chinese nation for self-reliance, self-improvement, and fearlessness in the face of danger. Guqi is the spiritual spine that supports the nation to stand firm and advance with its head held high. Since ancient times, the Chinese nation has been known for self-reliance and fearlessness, a backbone deeply engraved in the nation's bloodline. The self-reliance of the Chinese nation lies in not relying on external forces and rejecting a mentality of dependency, but instead relying on its own struggle to achieve national rejuvenation and maintaining strategic resolve amidst the changing international environment. This moral backbone is reflected in the tenacity and unyielding stance when facing external pressure and risky challenges, and in the high degree of historical patience and high-spirited spirit of struggle [6] when facing uncertainty. Displaying this backbone means continuing to carry forward the spiritual tradition of self-reliance in the New Era—not relying on others, not waiting, but relying on one's own wisdom and strength to create a beautiful future. At the same time, it requires the courage to face all kinds of hardships and obstacles without fear or retreat, overcoming all difficulties with firm conviction and tenacious perseverance, demonstrating the heroic spirit of the Chinese nation’s indomitability.
Enhancing the diqi (inner confidence) of the Chinese nation to be calm and unhurried while standing at the forefront of the times. Diqi is the solid foundation of national confidence and strength, and the powerful support for the nation to advance steadily and lead development in the tides of the era. A nation with profound inner confidence can maintain composure and self-assurance in international competition and stand at the forefront during epochal changes. The inner confidence of the Chinese nation originates from its long accumulation of history and culture, strong economic power, and solid technological foundation. The long cultural accumulation provides the Chinese nation with rich wisdom and experience, offering a profound cultural background for responding to various challenges. Strong economic power provides a solid material basis for the country's development, giving the Chinese nation a greater voice and influence on the international stage. A solid technological foundation is a key force in promoting national innovation and development, allowing the Chinese nation to seize opportunities in the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation. Enhancing this confidence means continuing to strengthen socialist cultural development in the New Era, inheriting and promoting fine traditional Chinese culture, while vigorously developing the economy and enhancing comprehensive national strength. Furthermore, it requires strengthening technological innovation and mastering more core technologies, so that the Chinese nation can be more composed, self-assured, and stand at the forefront of the tides of the era.
Practical Pathways for Cultivating a Spirited and High-Spirited Spiritual Temperament for the Whole Nation
Forging the soul through theoretical tempering, thoroughly understanding and implementing the Party’s innovative theories, and mastering the Marxist stance, viewpoint, and method. Theory is the precursor to action; thought is the banner of progress. The Party’s innovative theories are the latest achievements in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, acting as the guide for action for the whole Party and the people of the whole country in their struggle to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. To thoroughly understand and implement the Party’s innovative theories, it is essential first to master the Marxist stance, viewpoint, and method, which are powerful ideological weapons for the whole Party and people of all ethnic groups to understand and transform the world. Through the in-depth study of the Party’s innovative theories, we can more clearly grasp the pulse of the times, more accurately judge our historical position, and more firmly follow the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. In the process of theoretical tempering, emphasis must be placed on transforming the results of study into practical action, achieving the integration of study, thought, and application, and the unity of knowledge, belief, and action, so that the Party's innovative theories can play a greater role in guiding practice and promoting work.
Establishing oneself through the influence of the social atmosphere, coordinating the promotion of spiritual civilization in urban and rural areas, and promoting the integration of socialist core values into all aspects of social development. The atmosphere is the external expression of a nation's spiritual temperament; a good social atmosphere can nourish the heart and gather strength. Coordinating the promotion of spiritual civilization in both urban and rural areas—and deepening the cultivation, practice, and creation of civilization—is an important measure for cultivating a spirited and high-spirited spiritual temperament for the whole nation. In cities, we must strengthen the construction of public cultural facilities, enrich the cultural life of the masses, and enhance the cultural literacy and aesthetic level of citizens, stimulating their aspiration and pursuit of a better life. In the countryside, we must strengthen the development of rural spiritual civilization, carry forward fine traditional Chinese culture, and nurture civilized rural customs, good family traditions, and simple folk ways, thereby elevating the level of civilization in rural society. Promoting the integration of socialist core values into all aspects of social development is the key to cultivating a spirited and high-spirited spiritual temperament for the whole nation.
Forging ahead through practice, inspiring the whole nation to overcome difficulties and forge ahead in the fields of economy, society, and people’s livelihoods. Practice is the sole criterion for testing truth and an important way to cultivate the nation’s spirited temperament. In the economic field, we must encourage the whole nation to be brave in innovation and breakthroughs. Faced with the dual pressures of international competition and domestic transformation and upgrading, we must unswervingly promote high-quality development. By deepening reform and opening up, optimizing the business environment, and stimulating market vitality and social creativity, we can ensure the people reap more benefits from economic development, enhancing their confidence and pride in the country's development. In the social field, we must guide the whole nation to actively participate in social governance, jointly build a harmonious and orderly social environment, and promote the formation of a social governance pattern based on collaboration, participation, and common interests. Through strengthening community building, volunteer services, and public welfare charities, we can enhance social cohesion and centripetal force, letting the people feel warmth and strength through social progress.