Li Jie: A scientific guide to building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation in the new era
Party building and governance
★★★★★
The proposal of the new mission of building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation and the formation of Xi Jinping's cultural thought are two closely related major theoretical innovations and practical innovations that comprehensively promote the construction of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation with Chinese-style modernization. From the perspective of the origin of Xi Jinping's cultural thought, it came into being in the construction of the modern civilization of the Chinese nation; from the perspective of the scientific system of Xi Jinping's cultural thought, it has been continuously enriched and developed with the deepening of the construction of the modern civilization of the Chinese nation; and from the perspective of the guiding role of Xi Jinping cultural thought, it is a scientific guide for the construction of the modern civilization of the Chinese nation in the new era. From the perspective of future development, the construction of the modern civilization of the Chinese nation is not only an important internal guest and theoretical innovation growth point of Xi Jinping's cultural thought, but also a practical and innovative focus for comprehensively promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with Chinese-style modernization.
[Keywords]Xi Jinping Cultural Thought, Modern Civilization of the Chinese Nation, New Mission of Building a Cultural Power in the New Era, Cultural Subjectivity
After the victory of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era has successively produced two major theoretical and practical innovations that have a far-reaching impact on the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the comprehensive promotion of Chinese-style modernization in the field of propaganda, ideology and culture, namely, the proposal of the new mission of building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation and the formation of Xi Jinping Cultural Thought. It is the primary political task in the field of propaganda, ideology and culture to thoroughly study and implement Xi Jinping Cultural Thought and continuously enhance the initiative, consciousness and creativity in practicing the new mission of building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation.
1. Xi Jinping Cultural Thought came into being in the construction of modern civilization of the Chinese nation
On June 2, 2023, Xi Jinping proposed for the first time to build the modern civilization of the Chinese nation at the symposium on cultural inheritance and development, emphasizing that "it is our new cultural mission in the new era to continue to promote cultural prosperity, build a cultural power, and build the modern civilization of the Chinese nation at a new starting point". From October 7th to 8th, the National Conference on Propaganda, Ideological and Cultural Work conveyed and studied Xi Jinping's important instructions on propaganda, ideological and cultural work, and made arrangements for in-depth study and implementation of Xi Jinping's cultural thought. These are two closely related events, marking the emergence of Xi Jinping Cultural Thought in the construction of modern civilization of the Chinese nation.
From the beginning of the first five-year plan in 1953 to the present, the development process of Chinese-style modernization has gone through 14 five-year plans (plans), which can be roughly divided into three stages.
The first stage, that is, the period of socialist revolution and construction, began with the formal implementation of the first five-year plan in 1953 and ended with the establishment of an independent and relatively complete industrial system and national economic system in 1978. As far as Chinese modernization is concerned, the prominent theme of this period can be summed up in the three words "industrialization". In other words, this stage prominently solved the bottleneck obstacle to China's transformation from an agricultural country to an industrial country, realized the transformation of the national industrial system from scratch, and realized the transformation of the national economic system from an agricultural country to an industrial country.
The second stage is the new period of reform and opening up and socialist modernization, starting from the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in December 1978 and ending with the world's second largest economy and manufacturing power in 2010. As far as Chinese-style modernization is concerned, the prominent theme of this period can be summarized as "reform and opening up + science and technology". At this stage, Deng Xiaoping put forward that "science and technology are the primary productive forces" and also pointed out that "a correct understanding of science and technology as productive forces and a correct understanding that the intellectual workers who serve socialism are part of the working people is an extremely close relationship with the rapid development of our scientific undertakings." Since we have acknowledged these two premises, then, if we want to realize the four modernizations and greatly develop our productive forces in a short period of more than 20 years, we cannot, of course, fail to vigorously develop scientific research and science education, and vigorously carry forward the revolutionary enthusiasm of scientific and technological workers and educators." At the critical moment of the cross-century development of Chinese-style modernization, the CPC Central Committee made a timely strategic decision to establish and improve a socialist market economy and put forward and implement the strategy of rejuvenating the country through science and education, which played a very important role in China's great strides to catch up with the pace of the times and to lead the trend from conforming to the tide of economic globalization.
Marked by the convening of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in October 2012, socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era, and Chinese-style modernization has entered the third stage. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, we have successfully achieved the goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, completely eradicated absolute poverty, and embarked on a new journey of comprehensively promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and building a modern socialist country in an all-round way through Chinese-style modernization. A series of new situations, new problems, and new challenges show that at this stage, the in-depth development of socialism with Chinese characteristics and Chinese-style modernization has placed the issue of culture and civilization in a strategic position as important as science and technology, and has reached a critical moment when science and technology and cultural civilization must be grasped at the same time. It is at such a critical moment that Xi Jinping's cultural thought and the new mission of building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation came into being, becoming the "timely rain" and "fixed star" for comprehensively promoting the construction of a cultural power in Chinese-style modernization.
There is a process in the formation of Xi Jinping's cultural thought. This process has begun after the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. On August 19, 2013, Xi Jinping delivered an important speech at the National Conference on Propaganda and Ideological Work, emphasizing that "economic construction is the central work of the Party, and ideological work is an extremely important work of the Party". The fundamental task of propaganda and ideological work "is to consolidate the guiding position of Marxism in the ideological field and consolidate the common ideological foundation for the united struggle of the whole party and the people of the whole country." "To publicize and explain Chinese characteristics, it is necessary to make it clear that each country and nation has different historical traditions, cultural accumulations, and basic national conditions, and its development path must have its own characteristics; it is clear that Chinese culture has accumulated the deepest spiritual pursuit of the Chinese nation and is the rich nourishment of the Chinese nation's endless growth and development; it is clear that the excellent traditional Chinese culture is the outstanding advantage of the Chinese nation and our deepest cultural soft power; it is clear that socialism with Chinese characteristics is rooted in the fertile soil of Chinese culture and reflects the will of the Chinese people. To meet the requirements of the development and progress of China and the times, it has deep historical roots and a broad practical foundation. The Chinese nation has created a Chinese culture with a long history, and the Chinese nation will certainly be able to create new glories of the Chinese culture. ”
On September 24, 2014, Xi Jinping proposed at the International Academic Symposium to commemorate the 2565th anniversary of the birth of Confucius and the opening meeting of the Fifth General Assembly of the International Confucian Federation: "Excellent traditional culture is the foundation of the inheritance and development of a country and a nation. "Strive to realize the creative transformation and innovative development of traditional culture, so that it can be integrated with real culture, and jointly serve the tasks of the times with cultural people." ”
On October 15, 2014, at the symposium on literary and artistic work, Xi Jinping once again emphasized: "Literature and art are the clarion call for the progress of the times, which can best represent the style of an era and lead the atmosphere of an era." "Realize the 'two centenary' goals and realize the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation...... The role of literature and art is irreplaceable, and literary and artistic workers have a lot to do. "The excellent traditional Chinese culture is the spiritual lifeblood of the Chinese nation, an important source for cultivating the core values of socialism, and a solid foundation for us to gain a firm foothold in the turmoil of world culture. ”
On February 28, 2015, Xi Jinping emphasized when meeting with the advanced representatives of the Fourth National Civilized Cities, Civilized Villages and Towns, Civilized Units and Minors' Ideological and Moral Construction: "The people have faith, the nation has hope, and the country has strength. To realize the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, material wealth must be greatly enriched, and spiritual wealth must also be greatly enriched."
On February 19, 2016, Xi Jinping pointed out at the party's press and public opinion work symposium: "Doing a good job in the party's news and public opinion work is related to the banner and road, to the implementation of the party's theory, line, principles and policies, to the smooth promotion of various undertakings of the party and the country, to the cohesion and centripetal force of the whole party and the people of all ethnic groups in the country, and to the future and destiny of the party and the country." We must proceed from the overall situation of the party's work to grasp the party's news and public opinion work, and ensure that we attach great importance to it ideologically and are precise and effective in our work."
On April 19, 2016, Xi Jinping proposed at the symposium on network security and informatization: "Cyberspace is the common spiritual home of hundreds of millions of people. Cyberspace is clear and ecologically sound, which is in the interests of the people. The miasma of cyberspace and the deterioration of the ecology are not in the interests of the people...... In an attitude of being responsible to society and the people, we should strengthen the governance of cyberspace in accordance with the law, strengthen the construction of online content, and create a clean and upright cyberspace for the vast number of netizens, especially young people."
On May 17, 2016, Xi Jinping emphasized at the Symposium on Philosophy and Social Sciences: "A country without developed natural sciences cannot be at the forefront of the world, and a country without prosperous philosophy and social sciences cannot be at the forefront of the world." To uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics, it is necessary to constantly explore in practice and theory, and to use developing theories to guide developing practice. In this process, philosophical and social sciences have an irreplaceable and important position, and philosophical and social science workers have an irreplaceable and important role. "To uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics, we must attach great importance to philosophy and social sciences. Combined with the great practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics, "accelerate the construction of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics". He also put forward cultural self-confidence for the first time, pointing out that it is necessary to "strengthen self-confidence in the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, theoretical self-confidence, and institutional self-confidence, in the final analysis, to strengthen cultural self-confidence, and cultural self-confidence is a more basic, deeper, and more lasting force."
On November 30, 2016, at the opening ceremony of the Tenth National Congress of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the Ninth National Congress of the China Writers Association, Xi Jinping put cultural self-confidence with road self-confidence, theoretical self-confidence, and institutional self-confidence as the "four self-confidences", and also included the creative transformation and innovative development of China's excellent traditional culture into the policy of socialist culture construction with Chinese characteristics.
On October 18, 2017, at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Xi Jinping regarded adhering to the socialist core value system as one of the important contents of the "14 adherences" of adhering to and developing the basic strategy of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era. As an important indicator of building a modern socialist country, the excellent traditional Chinese culture, revolutionary culture and advanced socialist culture are regarded as the main contents of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics, and the fundamental principle of developing socialist culture with Chinese characteristics is comprehensively and systematically expounded.
On August 21, 2018, Xi Jinping profoundly summarized the understanding of the regularity of propaganda and ideological work since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China at the National Conference on Propaganda and Ideological Work, that is, the "nine insistences" are: upholding the party's leadership over ideological work, adhering to the fundamental task of "two consolidations" in ideological work, insisting on arming the whole party and educating the people with socialist ideology with Chinese characteristics in the new era, insisting on cultivating and practicing the core values of socialism, and insisting that cultural self-confidence is more basic, more extensive, and Deeper self-confidence is a more basic, deeper, and more lasting force; persist in improving the power of news and public opinion dissemination, guidance, influence, and credibility; persist in people-centered creative orientation; persist in creating a clean and upright cyberspace; persist in telling China's story and disseminating China's voice well; and require propaganda, ideological and cultural work to "consciously undertake the mission and task of raising the banner, gathering the hearts of the people, educating new people, rejuvenating culture, and displaying the image," and regard unifying thinking and gathering strength as the central link in propaganda and ideological work.
On March 18, 2019, Xi Jinping emphasized at the symposium of teachers of ideological and political theory courses in schools: "The most fundamental thing to do a good job in ideological and political theory courses is to fully implement the party's education policy and solve the fundamental problem of what to cultivate, how to train people, and for whom to train people." To implement the party's education policy in the new era, we must adhere to the guiding position of Marxism, implement the ideology of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era, adhere to the socialist direction of running schools, implement the fundamental task of establishing morality and cultivating people, and insist that education serves the people, the governance of the Communist Party of China, the consolidation and development of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, and the reform and opening up and socialist modernization. We should do a good job in running an education that satisfies the people, strive to train new people of the era who will take on the great task of national rejuvenation, and cultivate socialist builders and successors with all-round development of morality, intelligence, physical fitness, aesthetics, and labor."
On July 1, 2021, at the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, Xi Jinping for the first time summarized the great founding spirit of the Communist Party of China, making it clear that "this is the source of the spirit of the Communist Party of China", for the first time summarized and put forward the major thesis of "two combinations", and for the first time summarized and put forward the scientific thesis of "creating a new path of Chinese-style modernization and creating a new form of human civilization".
Since the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Xi Jinping has further systematically summarized the basic laws and basic experience of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, put forward and expounded the scientific methods for promoting the Party's theoretical innovation such as "two combinations" and "six must be adhered to", and clarified the major task of opening up a new realm of Marxism in the Sinicization and era. It systematically expounds the outstanding characteristics of the Chinese civilization, stresses that it is the only way to open up and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics on the profound foundation of the Chinese civilization over the past 5,000 years, and to integrate the basic tenets of Marxism with China's specific reality and with China's excellent traditional culture; stresses the need to uphold the soul of Marxism and the root of China's excellent traditional culture, pointing out that this is the basis and premise of theoretical innovation; and stresses the "second combination" It is another emancipation of the mind, a profound summary of the historical experience of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism by the Communist Party of China, and a profound grasp of the law of the development of Chinese civilization, indicating that the Communist Party of China's understanding of China's path, theory and system has reached a new height, that the historical and cultural self-confidence of the Communist Party of China has reached a new height, and that the consciousness of the Communist Party of China in promoting cultural innovation in inheriting the excellent traditional Chinese culture has reached a new height.
Especially on the occasion of the National Conference on Propaganda, Ideological and Cultural Work in October 2023, Xi Jinping fully affirmed the historic achievements of propaganda, ideological and cultural undertakings in the new era since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the overall and fundamental changes in the situation in the ideological field, profoundly analyzed the new situation and new tasks faced by propaganda, ideological and cultural work, and put forward the requirements of "seven efforts" for propaganda, ideological and cultural work in the new era.
To sum up, since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Xi Jinping has attached great importance to propaganda, ideological and cultural work, and has always regarded it as an extremely important work related to the future and destiny of the party, the long-term peace and stability of the country, and the cohesion and centripetal force of the nation. The spirit is more energetic and high-spirited, providing a strong ideological guarantee and strong spiritual strength for opening up a new situation in the cause of the party and the country in the new era.
Under Xi Jinping's great attention and vigorous promotion, establish and improve the party and state meritorious honor and commendation system, establish a martyr's memorial day, deepen the creation of mass spiritual civilization, build a new era civilization practice center, promote the study of the construction of a great country, promote the study of the history of the party, the history of new China, the history of reform and opening up, the history of socialist development, and the history of the development of the Chinese nation, build the history exhibition hall of the Communist Party of China, and carry out the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Activities such as the 40 th anniversary of reform and opening up, the commemoration of the 70 th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, and the 70 th anniversary of the Chinese People's Volunteers going abroad to fight to resist US aggression and aid Korea have effectively demonstrated the will of the party and the people, the prestige of the country and the prestige of the army, sung the main theme in the whole society, and carried forward positive energy.
The practice since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China has fully proved that the most fundamental reason for the historic achievements in propaganda, ideological and cultural work lies in the fact that Xi Jinping is at the helm and the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The biggest landmark achievement in the field of propaganda, ideology and culture during this period was the formation of Xi Jinping's cultural thought.
2. Comprehensively and completely grasp Xi Jinping's cultural thought
As pointed out at the National Conference on Propaganda, Ideology and Culture held in October 2023, Xi Jinping's new ideas, new views and new assertions in the construction of culture in the new era are very rich in connotation and extremely profound, which are a theoretical summary of the practical experience of the party's leadership in cultural construction in the new era, enrich and develop Marxist cultural theory, constitute the cultural chapter of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and form Xi Jinping Cultural Thought.
To fully and completely grasp Xi Jinping's cultural thought, we must first conscientiously study and comprehend the important instructions made by Xi Jinping on the propaganda and ideological and cultural work on the occasion of the above-mentioned National Conference on Propaganda, Ideology and Culture. This important instruction for the first time expounds the core essence of Xi Jinping's cultural thought in a concentrated and systematic manner, and it should be fully grasped in close combination with a series of new ideas, new views and new assertions put forward by Xi Jinping in the cultural construction of the new era since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.
(1) "Two combinations" is the essence
The "two combinations" not only embody the fundamental law of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, but also the essence of Xi Jinping's cultural thought, and solve the problem of how to integrate the soul of Marxism with the roots of China's excellent traditional culture from the fundamental direction and method.
Since the founding of the Communist Party of China, in the process of opening up the road of revolution, construction, reform, and strengthening the country in China, there has always been an issue that must be properly handled, that is, the relationship between Marxism and China and the Communist Party of China. History has proven that Marxism has profoundly changed China, and the Communist Party of China is completely correct in writing Marxism on its banner. History has also proved that China's practice has also greatly enriched and developed Marxism, and the Communist Party of China has lived up to Marxism. "Why the Communist Party of China is able and why socialism with Chinese characteristics is good is, in the final analysis, the practice of Marxism and the practice of Marxism in the Chinese era. ”
How should we properly handle the relationship between Marxism and China and the Communist Party of China? Dogmatism and ideological conservatism will not work, and the only correct way is to continuously promote the Sinicization of Marxism and the modernization of Marxism. Promoting the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism is not only a process of pursuing the truth, revealing the truth, and practicing the truth, but also a process of continuously deepening the understanding of the laws governing the Communist Party, the laws governing socialist construction, and the laws governing the development of human society. The process never ends. "Only by integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China's specific realities and with China's fine traditional culture, and persistently applying dialectical materialism and historical materialism, can we correctly answer the major questions raised by the times and practice and always maintain the vigor and vigor of Marxism. ”
Integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China's specific realities and with China's excellent traditional culture plays a two-sided role in continuously promoting the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism.
The process of integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China's specific reality is not only a process of persistently taking Marxism as the guide and applying its scientific world outlook and methodology to solve China's practical problems, but also a process of persistently emancipating the mind, seeking truth from facts, advancing with the times, seeking truth and being pragmatic, proceeding from reality in everything, focusing on solving practical problems in reform, opening up, and socialist modernization in the new era, and constantly answering the questions of China, the world, the people, and the times. In this process, it is necessary to give correct answers that are in line with China's reality and the requirements of the times, draw scientific understandings that conform to objective laws, and form theoretical achievements that keep pace with the times, so as to better guide China's practice.
The process of integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with the fine traditional Chinese culture is not only a process of localizing Marxism, but also a process of creative transformation and innovative development of the excellent traditional Chinese culture. As far as the former is concerned, "only when the root of the country and the fertile soil of the history and culture of the nation can the tree of Marxist truth take root and flourish." As far as the latter is concerned, "the excellent traditional Chinese culture has a long history, broad and profound, and is the crystallization of the wisdom of Chinese civilization, which contains the world for the public, the people for the state, for the government and morality, reform and innovation, meritocracy, the unity of nature and man, self-improvement, virtue, faithfulness, harmony, kindness and good-neighborliness, etc., is an important embodiment of the cosmology, the world, the society, and the morality accumulated by the Chinese people in their long-term production and life, and is highly compatible with the values of scientific socialism." We must strengthen our historical and cultural self-confidence, persist in using the past for the present, bring forth the new through the old, integrate the essence of Marxist ideology with the essence of China's excellent traditional culture, and integrate it with the common values that the people use every day without realizing it, constantly endow scientific theories with distinctive Chinese characteristics, and constantly consolidate the historical and mass foundation for the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, so that Marxism can take firm root in China."
Always adhering to and promoting the "first combination" and attaching great importance to and emphasizing the "second combination" is a prominent feature of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and it is also a distinctive feature of Xi Jinping Cultural Thought. Xi Jinping's cultural thought was born in vigorously promoting the "second combination", and the "two combinations" have become the essence of Xi Jinping's cultural thought.
(2) The new cultural mission is the general task
Focusing on the primary political task of arming the whole party and educating the people with the party's innovative theories, and putting forward and highlighting the new cultural mission of building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation, is the main tone of Xi Jinping's cultural thought. This main tone is determined not only by the nature and status of propaganda, ideological, and cultural work, but also by the new situation and new tasks facing it. Xi Jinping pointed out: "In the new era and new journey, the world is undergoing major changes unseen in a century, the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered a critical period, strategic opportunities and risks and challenges coexist, and propaganda, ideological and cultural work is facing new situations and new tasks, and there must be a new atmosphere and new actions." He reaffirmed and clarified the new cultural mission of the new era: "We must adhere to the guidance of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era, fully implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, focus on the primary political task of arming the whole party with the party's innovative theories and educating the people, and continue to promote cultural prosperity, build a cultural power, and build the modern civilization of the Chinese nation at a new historical starting point." ”
Why should we emphasize this new cultural mission? First, because the development of Chinese-style modernization has reached a time when we must attach great importance to the building of a cultural power and to the building of modern Chinese civilization. Culture is related to the foundation of the country and the fortune of the country. Second, in the process of promoting Chinese-style modernization, the issue of the compatibility of Chinese culture and civilization with Chinese-style modernization will inevitably be raised. Because of this, Xi Jinping specifically raised the issue of cultural subjectivity: "If any culture wants to stand and go far, it must have its own subjectivity if it wants to lead, cohesive, shape, and radiate." The Communist Party of China (CPC) has always attached great importance to culture, and in the new era, we have increased cultural self-confidence on the basis of self-confidence in the road, theory and system. Cultural self-confidence comes from our cultural subjectivity. This subjectivity was established by the CPC under the leadership of the Chinese people on the land of China; it was established on the basis of creative transformation and innovative development of the excellent traditional Chinese culture, inheritance of revolutionary culture, and development of advanced socialist culture, and on the basis of drawing on and absorbing all the outstanding achievements of human civilization; and by integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China's specific reality and with China's excellent traditional culture. The establishment of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era is the most powerful embodiment of this cultural subjectivity. ”
He pointed out the great significance of further maintaining cultural subjectivity through the construction of a cultural power and the construction of modern civilization of the Chinese nation: "With cultural subjectivity, there is a firm self in the cultural sense, cultural self-confidence has a fundamental basis, the Communist Party of China has a strong cultural force to lead the times, the Chinese nation and the Chinese people have a solid cultural foundation of national identity, and Chinese civilization has a distinctive cultural characteristic of exchanges and mutual learning with other civilizations in the world." ”
(3) Cultural self-confidence, openness and inclusiveness, integrity and innovation are the basic prerequisites
Cultural self-confidence is the foothold of the party, the state, and the nation; openness and inclusiveness demonstrate the grand pattern and majestic bearing of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese nation of having the world in mind and embracing all rivers; and upholding integrity and innovation is the basic method for upholding and developing Marxism and socialism with Chinese characteristics. Together, they constitute the basic premise for the construction of a cultural power in the new era and the construction of modern Chinese civilization.
Culture is the soul of a country and a nation. When culture is prosperous, the country is prosperous, and when culture is strong, the nation is strong. Without a high degree of cultural self-confidence and cultural prosperity, there will be no great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Especially for the ancient Oriental countries that have experienced national humiliation, people's suffering, and civilization in modern times, cultural self-confidence is even more important. Insisting on cultural self-confidence is the proper meaning of strengthening road self-confidence, theoretical self-confidence, and institutional self-confidence, and it is also the inevitable result of continuously enhancing road self-confidence, theoretical self-confidence, and institutional self-confidence. "When we say that we must strengthen our confidence in the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, theoretical confidence, and institutional confidence, in the final analysis, we must strengthen cultural confidence. Cultural assertiveness is a more basic, deeper, and more enduring force. Both history and reality have shown that a nation that has abandoned or betrayed its own history and culture is not only impossible to develop, but is also very likely to stage a historical tragedy. ”
Insisting on cultural self-confidence has another important significance, that is, in the process of building a socialist cultural power, we can consciously resist the Western concept of civilization. In the latter's view, only Western civilization is a modern civilization based on industrialization and modernization, which will eventually replace other civilizations. The Western concept of civilization confuses two basic facts: First, is the development of civilization in various countries pluralistic or unified? In fact, it wants to replace pluralism with the so-called unity. Second, is the civilization of all countries equal or is there a so-called distinction between superior and inferior? Can the ancient civilization that arose in the era of agrarian civilization enter the modern civilization along with the process of modernization? In fact, it wants to put Western civilization above the civilization of the vast number of developing countries, and in the so-called process of emulating the West, it will eliminate the foundation of civilization for the independent development and independent existence of other nations, so as to achieve the goal of forever dominating the world. Socialism with Chinese characteristics is not simply a continuation of the master version of Chinese history and culture, let alone a copy of the Western development model, but "is the dialectical unity of the theoretical logic of scientific socialism and the historical logic of China's social development, is a scientific socialism rooted in the land of China, reflects the will of the Chinese people, and meets the requirements of the development and progress of China and the times, and is the only way to build a moderately prosperous society in an all-round way, accelerate socialist modernization, and realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation." Similarly, the excellent traditional Chinese culture nurtured in the development of civilization for more than 5,000 years, the revolutionary culture and advanced socialist culture nurtured in the great struggle between the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people, have accumulated the deepest spiritual pursuit of the Chinese nation, represent the unique spiritual identity of the Chinese nation, and will certainly be able to build the modern civilization of the Chinese nation on this basis.
Openness and inclusiveness are not only the theoretical character of Marxism, but also the unique endowment of China's excellent traditional culture, which are highly compatible with each other. Marxism is precisely the excellent ideological achievements of critically inheriting and absorbing German classical philosophy, British classical political economy, and the 19th-century French and British utopian socialist theories. A history of the development of Marxism is a history in which Marx, Engels, and their successors have continuously developed in accordance with the development of the times, practice, and understanding, and a history in which they have continuously absorbed all the outstanding ideological and cultural achievements in human history to enrich themselves. This kind of openness and inclusiveness enables Marxism to always stand at the forefront of the times, constantly explore new topics raised by the development of the times, respond to the new challenges faced by human society, and make its theoretical tree evergreen. Thanks to the inclusive and diverse civilization concept of the Chinese nation, we have always believed that there is no superiority or inferiority between different civilizations, and that civilizations exchange because of diversity, learn from each other because of exchanges, and develop because of mutual learning. Chinese civilization has never replaced multiculturalism with a single culture, but has brought together diverse cultures into a common culture to resolve conflicts and build consensus. Chinese cultural identity transcends regional locality, blood lineage, religious beliefs, etc., and integrates the vast land giants with great internal differences into a pluralistic and integrated Chinese nation. Openness and inclusiveness have always been the source of vitality for the development of civilization, and it is also a significant sign of cultural self-confidence. The broad atmosphere of Chinese civilization has benefited from the open attitude and tolerant mind of Chinese culture since ancient times. The more inclusive, the more it is recognized and maintained, and the more it will continue. This is where the confidence lies in building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation.
Integrity and innovation are dialectical unity. The Marxism we uphold is the Marxism of open development, which is inseparable from both uprightness and innovation. It is precisely in the process of upholding integrity and innovating that Marxism has profoundly changed China, and China has also greatly enriched Marxism. We are engaged in a great cause that has never been done before, as Xi Jinping said: "For cultural construction, only by keeping integrity can we not lose ourselves and not lose our direction, and only by innovating can we grasp the times and lead the times." Upholding integrity means guarding the fundamental system of Marxism's guiding position in the ideological field, the fundamental requirement of 'two combinations,' the cultural leadership of the Communist Party of China and the cultural subjectivity of the Chinese nation. Under the guidance of Marxism, we must truly use the past for the present and the foreign for China, make dialectical trade-offs, and bring forth the new, so as to realize the organic connection between tradition and modernity. Cultural workers in the new era must continue the historical context and write a contemporary chapter with the righteousness and vigor of integrity and innovation."
(4) The "seven efforts" are the fundamental principles and requirements
First, efforts should be made to strengthen the party's leadership over propaganda, ideological, and cultural work. We must always uphold the cultural leadership of the Communist Party of China and the leadership of the Communist Party of China over ideological work. To do a good job in propaganda and ideological work under the new situation, we must consciously undertake the mission and task of raising the banner, gathering the hearts of the people, educating new people, rejuvenating culture, and displaying our image. Propaganda and ideological departments have very important responsibilities and must be responsible, responsible, and conscientious in defending the territory. To strengthen the work of propaganda and ideological departments, first of all, the leading cadres and leading bodies must be strengthened. Leading comrades of propaganda departments at all levels should step up their study and practice so that they can truly become convincing experts. It is necessary to establish the concept of large-scale propaganda work and integrate propaganda and ideological work more closely with administrative management, trade management, and social governance in various fields.
Second, efforts should be made to build a socialist ideology with strong cohesion and leadership. We must always adhere to the guiding position of Marxism in the ideological field, always adhere to the fundamental task of "two consolidations" in ideological work, and always insist on arming the whole party, educating the people, and guiding practice with Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Adhere to the principle of standing up and breaking through at the same time, and constantly enhance the cohesion and leadership of socialist ideology. Strengthen propaganda and education on the history of the Party, the history of New China, the history of reform and opening up, the history of socialist development, and the history of the development of the Chinese nation, regard the strengthening of the "four self-confidences" as the key to building socialist ideology, adhere to the guiding position of Marxism in the field of Chinese philosophy and social sciences, and build philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics, Chinese style, and Chinese style.
The third is to focus on cultivating and practicing the core values of socialism. The core values of socialism are the concentrated embodiment of the spirit of contemporary China and condense the common value pursuit of all Chinese people. As Chinese, we have a unique spiritual world and values that we use every day without realizing it. The core values of socialism advocated by us fully reflect the inheritance and sublimation of the excellent traditional Chinese culture. It is necessary to strengthen education and guidance, practice cultivation, and institutional guarantees, and integrate the core socialist values into all aspects of social development. Carry forward the spiritual lineage of the Chinese Communists with the great spirit of party building as the source, make good use of red resources, carry out in-depth propaganda and education on the core socialist values, deepen education on patriotism, collectivism and socialism, and strive to cultivate new people of the era who will take on the great task of national rejuvenation. It is necessary to continuously enhance the people's ideological consciousness, moral standards, and civilized qualities, as well as the level of civilization of the whole society.
Fourth, we should strive to improve the dissemination of news and public opinion, guidance, influence and credibility. It is necessary to uphold a high degree of unity between the party and the people. "Only by upholding the party spirit can the press and public opinion work have a clear stance and orientation; only by upholding the people's nature can the press and public opinion work gain a source of vitality and a foundation of motivation. "It is necessary to grasp the correct guidance of public opinion and consolidate and strengthen the mainstream ideology and public opinion. It is necessary to strengthen the innovation of communication means and discourse methods, so that the party's innovative theories can "fly into the homes of ordinary people". Strengthen the construction of an all-media communication system and shape a new pattern of mainstream public opinion. Scientifically understand the laws of network communication, improve the level of using the network to govern the network, and turn the Internet, the biggest variable, into the largest increment in the development of the cause.
Fifth, we will strive to continue the Chinese cultural context and promote the creative transformation and innovative development of China's excellent traditional culture. "From a historical point of view, the outstanding elements of traditional Chinese ideology and culture, including Confucianism, have played a very important role in the formation and continuous development of Chinese civilization for thousands of years without interruption, in the formation and maintenance of the political situation of China's unity and unity, in the formation and consolidation of China's multi-ethnic and integrated big family, in the formation and enrichment of the spirit of the Chinese nation, in encouraging the sons and daughters of China to safeguard national independence and resist foreign aggression, in promoting the development and progress of Chinese society, and in promoting the balance of China's social interests and social relations. "We must adhere to creative transformation and innovative development, and constantly create new glories of Chinese culture.
Sixth, efforts should be made to promote the prosperity and development of cultural undertakings and cultural industries. "To build a modern socialist country in an all-round way, we must adhere to the development path of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics, enhance cultural self-confidence, build a socialist cultural power around raising the banner, gathering the hearts of the people, educating new people, revitalizing culture, and displaying the image, develop a national, scientific, and popular socialist culture that is oriented to modernization, the world, and the future, stimulate the vitality of cultural innovation and creativity of the whole nation, and enhance the spiritual strength to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. ”
Seventh, efforts should be made to strengthen international communication capacity building and promote exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. It is necessary to enhance the communication power and influence of Chinese civilization. "Adhere to the position of Chinese culture, refine and display the spiritual identity and cultural essence of Chinese civilization, accelerate the construction of Chinese discourse and Chinese narrative system, tell Chinese stories well, spread Chinese voices, and present a credible, lovable and respectable image of China. "Strengthen the capacity building of international communication, comprehensively improve the efficiency of international communication, and form an international discourse power that matches the comprehensive national strength and international status of the mainland." Deepen exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, and promote Chinese culture to the world. ”
(5) The basic path for achieving the overall task
Focusing on the general task of building a cultural power and building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation, Xi Jinping pointed out the basic path in his important instructions: "fully stimulate the vitality of cultural innovation and creativity of the whole nation, continuously consolidate the common ideological foundation of the whole party and the people of all ethnic groups in the whole country to unite and struggle, continuously enhance the national cultural soft power and the influence of Chinese culture, and provide a strong ideological guarantee, strong spiritual strength and favorable cultural conditions for building a modern socialist country in an all-round way and promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in an all-round way." This exposition calls for condensing and enhancing the three forces and giving full play to the three roles of culture and civilization.
Among these three forces, the first is the vitality of the whole nation's cultural innovation and creativity. Culture and civilization are, in the final analysis, created by the people. Whether or not we can stimulate the vitality of the whole nation's cultural innovation and creativity is the key to building a cultural power and modern civilization. Second, the strength of the whole party and the people of all ethnic groups in the country to work in unity. "The hearts of the people are united, and Mount Tai moves". The key to whether or not we can unite this kind of strength depends on whether we have a common ideological foundation. This common ideological foundation can only be the common ideal of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the glorious tradition of patriotism, and the sense of community of the Chinese nation. The third is the soft power of national culture and the influence of Chinese culture. This is an important part of the country's overall strength. It is necessary to refine and display the spiritual identity and cultural essence of Chinese civilization, strive to display the unique charm of Chinese culture, pay attention to shaping the national image, and form an international discourse power that matches China's comprehensive national strength and international status.
The three functions of culture and civilization are: strong ideological guarantee, strong spiritual strength, and favorable cultural conditions. They are interrelated and complement each other, and jointly serve the comprehensive construction of a modern socialist country and the all-round promotion of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
(6) Guiding role and contemporary values
Xi Jinping's cultural thought not only has innovation and breakthroughs in cultural theory, but also has the deployment and requirements of cultural work layout, which has clarified the roadmap and task book of cultural construction in the new era, marking that the Communist Party of China's understanding of the law of socialist cultural construction with Chinese characteristics has reached a new height, indicating that the historical and cultural self-confidence of the Communist Party of China has reached a new height, and has shown a strong force in the construction of China's socialist culture. Shouldering a new cultural mission has provided a powerful ideological weapon and a scientific guide to action.
It should be pointed out that Xi Jinping Cultural Thought is a constantly unfolding and open ideological system. It came into being in the construction of the modern civilization of the Chinese nation, and is bound to continue to enrich and develop with the deepening of the construction of the modern civilization of the Chinese nation.
3. A scientific guide to building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation in the new era
The construction of the modern civilization of the Chinese nation is not only an important content and theoretical innovation growth point of Xi Jinping's cultural thought, but also a practical innovation focus for comprehensively promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with Chinese-style modernization.
The question of what kind of Chinese civilization to create was raised during the May Fourth Movement. However, at that time, the fine traditional Chinese culture was still imprisoned in the rotten shell of feudalism, and it was impossible to inherit and carry forward the fine traditional Chinese culture without completing the thorough anti-imperialist and anti-feudal democratic revolution. Moreover, at that time, while people opposed feudal etiquette and religion, there was also a deviation of denying traditional Chinese culture altogether, so it was impossible to find a correct way out of this problem.
It was not until the Yan'an period, under the leadership of the Chinese Communists with Comrade Mao Zedong as the main representative, that this problem was better resolved. Mao Zedong reiterated the issues raised by the May Fourth Movement in his "On New Democracy" published in January 1940: "We, the Communists, have struggled not only for China's political and economic revolution, but also for China's cultural revolution, and all these aimed at building a new society and a new country for the Chinese nation. In this new society and new country, there is not only a new politics, a new economy, but also a new culture." In order to answer this question, Mao Zedong recalled the political, economic, and cultural changes in modern China, especially since the May Fourth Movement, and summed up the achievements and experiences of the four periods of the development of the "united front of the cultural revolution" since the May Fourth Movement. The national, scientific, and popular culture is the anti-imperialist and anti-feudal culture of the masses of the people, the culture of new democracy, and the new culture of the Chinese nation." This has given a scientific answer to the questions that have been raised since the May Fourth Movement but have long been puzzled -- where is the Chinese culture going and what is the new culture of the Chinese nation.
After the Third Plenary Session of the 11 th CPC Central Committee, the Chinese Communists' understanding of the new culture of the Chinese nation was further clarified. The Sixth Plenary Session of the 12th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held in September 1986 made the Resolution on the Guidelines for the Construction of Socialist Spiritual Civilization for the first time. The 15th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held in September 1997 made it clear for the first time that the program of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics is "guided by Marxism, with the goal of cultivating idealistic, moral, educated and disciplined citizens, and developing a national, scientific, and popular socialist culture oriented to modernization, the world, and the future." The 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held in October 2007 put forward the strategic task of "improving the country's cultural soft power", emphasizing the need to "promote Chinese culture and build a common spiritual home for the Chinese nation". The Sixth Plenary Session of the 17th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held in October 2011 adopted the Decision on Several Major Issues Concerning Deepening the Reform of the Cultural System and Promoting the Great Development and Prosperity of Socialist Culture, putting forward the strategic task of adhering to the path of socialist cultural development with Chinese characteristics and striving to build a socialist cultural power.
After the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era, the construction of a socialist cultural power has entered a new stage, and the Communist Party of China's understanding of building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation has gradually deepened. The report of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China clearly pointed out: "The socialist culture with Chinese characteristics originates from the excellent traditional Chinese culture nurtured by the Chinese nation's more than 5,000 years of civilization history, is fused with the revolutionary culture and advanced socialist culture created by the people under the leadership of the Party in revolution, construction and reform, and is rooted in the great practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics." "To develop socialist culture with Chinese characteristics is to take Marxism as the guide, adhere to the position of Chinese culture, base ourselves on the reality of contemporary China, and combine the conditions of the current era to develop a national, scientific, and popular socialist culture that is oriented to modernization, the world, and the future, and to promote the coordinated development of socialist spiritual civilization and material civilization. We must persist in serving the people and socialism, insist on letting a hundred flowers bloom and a hundred schools of thought contend, persist in creative transformation and innovative development, and constantly create new glories of Chinese culture. These two important expositions have clarified the fundamental issues of how the modern civilization of the Chinese nation has developed and how to build the modern civilization of the Chinese nation in the new era.
To build the modern civilization of the Chinese nation, it is necessary to solve the problem of how to understand the Chinese civilization. Xi Jinping systematically summarized the five characteristics of Chinese civilization at the symposium on cultural inheritance and development on June 2, 2023: "The continuity of Chinese civilization fundamentally determines that the Chinese nation will inevitably follow its own path"; The innovative nature of the Chinese civilization fundamentally determines the enterprising spirit of the Chinese nation of uprightness and not old-fashionedness, respect for the past and not retro, and determines the fearless character of the Chinese nation that is not afraid of new challenges and has the courage to accept new things"; The unity of the Chinese civilization fundamentally determines that the cultures of all ethnic groups of the Chinese nation are integrated and firmly cohesive even in the face of major setbacks, that the national territory is indivisible, that the country cannot be chaotic, that the nation cannot be dispersed, and that civilization is indispensable, that national unity will always be the core of China's core interests, and that a strong and unified country is tied to the destiny of the people of all ethnic groups." The inclusiveness of Chinese civilization fundamentally determines the historical orientation of the Chinese nation's exchanges, exchanges and integration, the harmonious pattern of the coexistence of various religious beliefs in China, and the open-mindedness of Chinese culture to the eclecticism of world civilizations." The peaceful nature of the Chinese civilization fundamentally determines that China will always be a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of the international order, that China will continue to pursue exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations and not engage in cultural hegemony, that China will not impose its own values and political system on others, and that China will adhere to cooperation and not engage in confrontation, and will never engage in a small circle of 'the same party and the same party'."
To build the modern civilization of the Chinese nation, it is necessary to solve the problem of path. The "two combinations" are the only way to build the modern civilization of the Chinese nation. Xi Jinping pointed out that "the premise of 'combination' is to fit each other"; The result of the union is the fulfillment of each other"; Combined with 'laying the foundation of the road';"' Combined with 'opens up space for innovation';"' Bonding' consolidates cultural subjectivity". "More importantly, the 'second combination' is another emancipation of the mind, allowing us to make full use of the precious resources of China's excellent traditional culture in a broader cultural space and explore future-oriented theoretical and institutional innovations. ”
To build the modern civilization of the Chinese nation, it is necessary to solve the problem of the relationship between the soul and the root. Xi Jinping stressed: "We must not abandon the soul of Marxism and the root of China's excellent traditional culture. As for how to deal with the relationship between the soul and the roots, Xi Jinping emphasized two aspects: on the one hand, from the perspective of adhering to the soul, "we must adhere to Marxism, the foundation of building the party and the country, rejuvenating the party and the country, and insist on developing Marxism in the fertile soil of the root country and the history and culture of the nation without stopping"; Push through the old and bring forth the new, take Marxism as the guide to comprehensively excavate the treasure house of Chinese civilization for more than 5,000 years, use Marxism to activate the excellent factors full of vitality in China's excellent traditional culture and give it a new connotation of the times, and inject the great spirit and rich wisdom of the Chinese nation into Marxism at a deeper level."
In fact, this is a two-way interactive relationship, and the final result is to "effectively integrate the essence of Marxist ideology with the essence of China's excellent traditional culture" at a higher level, fuse it into a new theoretical advantage, and constantly climb new ideological peaks. "In the 'sum of human knowledge', we should draw on excellent ideological and cultural resources to innovate and develop the party's theories, and form a general theoretical pattern and atmosphere that is inclusive and absorbs the strengths of others. ”
[Li Jie: Speaker of Chang'an Street Reading Club, Former President of Qiushi Magazine]
Note: Authorized to publish, this article has been selected and included in the "Chang'an Street Reading Club" theoretical learning platform (People's Daily, People's Political Consultative Conference Daily, Beijing Daily, Chongqing Daily, Xinhuanet, CCTV, National Party Media Information Public Platform, Vision, Beijing Time, Surging Government Affairs, Phoenix News Client "Chang'an Street Reading Club" column synchronization), reprinting must be uniformly marked "Chang'an Street Reading Club" theoretical learning platform source and author.
Editor-in-charge: Qiu Shiyi, preliminary review: Cheng Ziqian, Chen Jiani, re-examination: Li Yufan
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In order to thoroughly study and implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, we are now jointly carrying out relevant party building reading and learning activities for the party schools (administrative colleges), cadre colleges, Marxist colleges, and new era civilization practice centers (institutes, stations) where the central and state organs, central enterprises, and provinces, cities, counties (districts) are located. Recently, with the approval of relevant departments, it has been officially agreed that the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the State Supervision Commission, the Organization Department of the Central Committee, the Working Committee of the Central Committee and State Organs, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the China Securities Regulatory Commission, the State Administration for Market Regulation, the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League and other designated units have joined the "Chang'an Street Reading Club" Party Building Reading Cooperation Mechanism, and jointly undertook the "Chang'an Street Reading Club" series of reading and learning activities.