Xi's thought on culture guides modern Chinese civilization

China has been carrying out reform of the cultural system and made historic achievements under the leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping, who bears a strong cultural self-consciousness and responsibility in fulfilling Chinese cultural rejuvenation and building modern Chinese civilization.

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, Xi has placed the work of public communication and culture in a prominent position, giving instructions and guidance in art, journalism, philosophy and social sciences, and culture, among others.

Xi introduced the concept of confidence in culture. He incorporated the core socialist values into the basic policy underpinning the endeavor to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.

He also set clear tasks for public communication and culture: to uphold socialism with Chinese characteristics, rally public support, cultivate generations of young people with sound values and ethics, develop Chinese culture, and better present China to the world.

Eleven years ago, during his visit to Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius, in east China's Shandong Province, Xi looked closely at two reference books about Confucian thoughts.

In Yuelu Academy in Changsha, central Chinese province of Hunan, in 2020, Xi stared at a tablet inscribed with "seeking truth from facts" and stressed the importance of "making sure truth is grounded in the local context."

Two years later, in Sansu Temple, the former residence of Su Xun and his two sons Su Shi and Su Zhe, three literary masters of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), Xi emphasized the significance of drawing ideas and thinking on governance from the fine traditional Chinese culture.

In 2021, during a visit to a park dedicated to Zhu Xi, a Neo-Confucian master of the Song Dynasty, Xi put forward to boost the vitality of fine traditional Chinese culture with the spirit of the time.

"We should respect and carry forward the 5,000-year-long Chinese civilization, and integrate its essence with Marxist stance, viewpoint and methodology that we are now following. This is the socialism with Chinese characteristics," Xi said at the park.

In June 2023, Xi summarized five prominent features regarding Chinese civilization - consistency, originality, uniformity, inclusivity, and peaceful nature - at a symposium on cultural inheritance and development.

He pointed out that "it is natural to integrate the basic tenets of Marxism with China's specific realities and fine traditional culture if we are to create and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics on the basis of the profound Chinese civilization of more than 5,000 years."

In October of the same year, a national meeting on the work of public communication and culture was held in Beijing. For the first time, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture was put forward at the meeting, which opened a new chapter and ushered in a new phase for leading the new journey of cultural reform and development work.

Chinese modernization is the modernization of material and cultural-ethical advancement, Xi said in his article published on Qiushi Journal, a flagship magazine of the CPC Central Committee.

Xi had made speeches at a series of important meetings in an effort to promote the reform of the cultural administrative system in the new era and guide it along the right path.

With the deepening of the cultural reform, China's cultural sector has experienced unprecedented boom with healthy development of cultural industries, improving intangible cultural heritage protection and inheritance system, perfecting public cultural service system and a growing sense of fulfillment, and happiness of Chinese people.

Xi believes that without profound cultural confidence and a thriving culture, the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unattainable.

Xi's thought on culture guides modern Chinese civilization

As the Qingming Festival approaches this Friday, various traditional folk activities have been held across China, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the occasion.

With a 2,500-year history, Qingming Festival, or the Festival of Pure Brightness, observed in early April, uniquely combines ancestral worship with the celebration of spring. Falling on the 15th day after the spring equinox, this ritual-rich observance reflects China's enduring values of ancestral veneration and inspires deep introspection about what gives life meaning.

In Sijia Village, Huayin City, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, a unique swing festival is held to mark the occasion. Eighteen different types of traditional swings, such as the spinning wheel swing, the Bagua swing reminiscent of a rotating carousel, and the balance swing designed for two people, have attracted many visitors.

Historically, Sijia Village served as a military post guarding the strategic Tongguan pass, a former mountain pass and fortress located south of the confluence of the Wei and Yellow Rivers. The swing tradition in the village has its origins in military training exercises like climbing and river crossing. The local swing culture further developed as regional trade flourished, eventually evolving into the "swing festival" that continues today.

"It's very exciting and tests your skill, endurance, and most importantly, your arm strength. You need to maintain balance," said Qu Xiangyang, a visitor.

In Rudong County, Nantong City, east China's Jiangsu Province, another traditional Qingming activity takes place - kite flying.

Flying kites as a way of making wishes is an age-old Qingming custom in this region. As a result, the Qingming Festival in Nantong is also known as the "Kite Festival."

The local Banyao whistling kite making skills is listed as one of the first national intangible cultural heritage items.

According to a folk culture expert, people traditionally write the names of diseases or misfortunes on paper, attach it to a kite, and release it into the sky. This practice is believed to drive away illness and disaster, while also serving as a way to make wishes.

In south China's Guangdong Province, a large tug-of-war competition is underway in Maoming City. Teams from different towns and streets are competing, attracting many locals to cheer on their teams.

Tug-of-war, which originated during the late Spring and Autumn period (770 BC - 476 BC), became part of Qingming customs during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty once organized large-scale tug-of-war competitions for the festival.

"Tug-of-war became very popular in the Tang Dynasty, even emerging as the national sport. It originated in the Jingchu region and later spread across the country. In ancient Lingnan (Southern China), tug-of-war games were a common tradition. Through these events, people seek to pray for peace, prosperity, and abundant harvests," said Yao Guojun, vice dean of the College of Arts and Law, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology.

Traditional folk activities held for Qingming Festival