Sponsored Content
Since the introduction of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture in October 2023, “culture” has become a buzzword across China.
Ahead of the Lunar New Year, the country has been busy organizing numerous cultural events to embrace this new trend.
Meanwhile, in the eastern province of Zhejiang, a museum has captivated visitors with augmented reality technology, reliving scenes of daily life and work from 8,000 years ago.
As for the northwestern province of Shaanxi, visitors to another museum have the opportunity to savor traditional culinary delights depicted in ancient Chinese poems.
Meanwhile, in Beijing, members of a newly established sci-fi film committee are preparing for the next blockbuster, following the phenomenal success of "The Wandering Earth," aiming to offer audiences an alternative to the Hollywood monopoly on science fiction cinema.
The Communist Party of China (CCP), born more than a century ago after the New Culture Movement and the spread of Marxism in the country, has always been proud of its cultural essence.
Now, under Xi's leadership, the Party is using cultural means to improve its governance and drive China's modernization.
A man with a cultural touch
Xi was born in 1953 into a family of revolutionaries.
As a child, he was deeply inspired by the traditional culture of China.
So much so that he has stated that he will never forget the story of Yue Fei, told by his mother.
Yue was a patriotic military commander in the 12th century, and his mother had “serve the country with the greatest devotion” tattooed on his back, a phrase that embodies “zhong,” or “loyalty,” in Confucian philosophy.
Xi made it his life's goal to follow this motto.
Xi Jinping walks with his mother, Qi Xin.
(Xinhua)
In the late 1960s, Xi was sent from Beijing to Liangjiahe, a small village in Shaanxi province on the Loess Plateau, as an "educated youth," to engage in arduous agricultural work.
Carrying an entire box of books to the village, Xi immersed himself in a diverse reading journey, exploring works from masterpieces of Chinese literature to those of Shakespeare and Tolstoy, and from Chairman Mao's "Serving the People" to " Das Kapital" ("Capital"), by Karl Marx.
Some 40 years later, the man who used to read late into the night under the dim glow of a kerosene lamp in a cave stood on a podium at UNESCO headquarters as president of China, sharing his views on culture and civilization.
He "featured famous poets and writers to highlight his country's long history and the importance of cultural diversity," according to media reports.
In this sense, Xi referred to Liangjiahe as his "university," where he learned China's traditional virtues.
In 1982, Xi began working in Zhengding, a historic district in Hebei Province, first as deputy Party chief and then as Party chief.
After discovering two ancient locust trees at his workplace, he had their age verified and fenced to protect them.
He also initiated a comprehensive study of cultural relics throughout the district and began conservation efforts.
Xi's deep passion for history and culture was so intense that at one point he considered pursuing archaeology.
However, this interest went beyond mere personal interest.
He often shares an ancient Chinese proverb with foreign officials and friends, advocating the use of history as a compass for present and future endeavors.
He believes that drawing lessons from tradition is essential for formulating policy decisions.
Xi Jinping visits Jiayu Pass, a famous part of the Great Wall built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), during his inspection tour in northwest China's Gansu Province, Aug. 20, 2019. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)
Since assuming the position of Party leader - general secretary of the CPC Central Committee - in 2012, Xi has issued more than 170 significant instructions on cultural relics, archeology and intangible cultural heritage.
He has also conducted more than 100 on-site inspections of historical and cultural sites.
At the same time, he harbors a deep love for "red culture."
Over the years, he has visited almost every important historical site related to critical chapters of the revolutionary past.
These places include a lake in Zhejiang where the CPC's first National Congress was held in 1921, and Fragrant Hill in the suburbs of Beijing, where Party leaders laid the foundation for the establishment of New China.
Since taking office, Xi has visited more than 70 countries, including Greece, Belgium, Egypt and Cuba.
The art of governance
In 2012, Xi incorporated the concept of "cultural trust" in the report to the 18th CPC National Congress.
Later, he integrated this concept into the "four trusts" of socialism with Chinese characteristics, describing it as a "more fundamental, deeper and more lasting force."
Xi Jinping visits the new building of the Sanxingdui Museum in Guanghan, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)
"Without full confidence in our culture, without a rich and prosperous culture, the Chinese nation will not be able to revitalize itself," he said.
As the world undergoes profound changes not seen in a century, Xi has led China into a new era.
Party theorists believe that the serious challenges facing the country in the 21st century demand a cultural renaissance to rebuild national identity in the post-Cold War world, where various civilizations and value systems compete and coexist.
They even say that the rise and fall of major countries over the last 500 years is the result of rivalry between cultures.
Xi Jinping, elected general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) at the first plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, meets with reporters at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. November 2012. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)
Xi has cultivated trust in Chinese culture in the service of the nation's revitalization and established an impenetrable barrier against negative elements of Western culture, observers say.
Party theorists claimed that the establishment of thought shows that the Party's historical and cultural confidence have reached new heights.
They also claim that Xi is a pioneer in adopting a new way of governing the country, taking advantage of culture.
Xi Jinping visits an exhibition pavilion of China's National Publication and Culture Archives, and learns about the preservation of classical publications in its collection in Beijing, capital of China, June 1, 2023. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)
Xi firmly believes in Marxist historical materialism, which sees the masses as the creators of history.
He elevates the ancient belief of "min wei bang ben" - meaning "the people are the foundation of the country; with a solid foundation, the country is at peace" - to the Party's principle of "putting the people first."
After leading China to eliminate absolute poverty, Xi set the next goal: common prosperity.
In March 2018, Xi became the first Chinese president to take the oath in front of the Constitution.
He mentioned the old saying: "When those who uphold the law are strong, the State is strong; when they are weak, the State is weak", and emphasized the need to promote reforms under the rule of law and improve the rule of law within the framework of the reforms.
A proven change-maker, Xi draws on his transformative experiences in Liangjiahe, where he defied skeptics and proceeded to build the first methane generating well in the entire Shaanxi province.
Now, he advocates embracing the entrepreneurial and innovative spirit of the Chinese nation to propel China into an era of innovation.
He is enthusiastic about folk culture and arts, such as myths, epics, storytelling, and local operas.
He encourages young contemporary novelists, poets and painters to innovate, while extending his support to the domestic science fiction film industry.
This reflects its deep commitment to nurturing and promoting various aspects of Chinese cultural heritage and contemporary artistic expressions.
Under his leadership, China has witnessed historic changes in its environmental protection efforts, resulting in bluer skies, greener mountains and clearer waters.
Xi drew on the ancient philosophy of favoring peace and harmonious coexistence in formulating foreign policy, proposing the concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity.
A new path of civilization
China's cultural traditions and national conditions determined that Chinese modernization, a new form of human civilization led by Xi, will follow a different path from that of the West.
With more than 20% of the world's population, it aspires to reduce the wealth gap, achieve harmony between material and spiritual aspects, pursue development without sacrificing the environment and never seek expansion or a dominant position abroad.
Xi Jinping inspects Lizu Village in Yiwu, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)
On the world stage, Xi has proposed a series of new concepts regarding civilizational exchange and international relations, demonstrating China's commitment to being a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of international order.
Xi's proposal of building a community with a shared future for humanity reflects the country's commitment to peace and stability.
Xi Jinping delivers a speech at the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris, capital of France, on March 27, 2014. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)
As a defender of the common values of humanity, Xi launched the Global Civilization Initiative, urging all parties to work together to respect the diversity of civilizations and harness the profound significance of their histories and cultures in the contemporary world.
This initiative constitutes a solid response to the concepts that support the distancing, clash or superiority of some civilizations
Xi's Global Development Initiative emphasizes the importance of prioritizing development and adopting a people-centered philosophy to ensure that "no country is left behind in the process of global modernization."