Developing a Powerful Source of Inspiration for Building a Modern Socialist Country and Advancing the Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation in All Respects: An Analysis of Xi Jinping’s Book Entitled Pursuing Socialist Cultural and Ethical Progress

In his political report to the 20th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “To build a modern socialist country in all respects, we must develop a socialist culture with Chinese characteristics and be more confident in our culture. In our efforts to turn China into a country with a strong socialist culture, we will focus on upholding socialism with Chinese characteristics, rallying public support, fostering a new generation of young people, developing Chinese culture, and better presenting China to the world. We will develop a sound, people-oriented socialist culture for our nation that embraces modernization, the world, and the future. We will ignite the cultural creativity of the entire nation and build a powerful source of inspiration for realizing national rejuvenation.” Achieving the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation requires substantial material and cultural-ethical progress. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping has delivered a series of important expositions on promoting socialist cultural and ethical progress, profoundly elucidating its characteristics and principles. These expositions have enriched and developed the Party’s scientific theories on socialist cultural and ethical progress, providing effective intellectual tools to guide our work in this area.

The recently published book by Xi Jinping, entitled Pursuing Socialist Cultural and Ethical Progress, is divided into ten topics and compiles Xi’s key expositions on this subject. Studying these important expositions is crucial for fully understanding the importance of promoting socialist cultural and ethical progress. It also serves as a powerful source of inspiration for building a modern socialist country and advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in all respects.

I. Upholding and Strengthening the Party’s Leadership over the Promotion of Socialist Cultural and Ethical Progress

Our Party has always attached great importance to the promotion of socialist cultural and ethical progress. Particularly since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Party Central Committee with General Secretary Xi Jinping at its core has upheld and strengthened the Party’s leadership in this area, driving comprehensive, profound, and fundamental changes in the cultural-ethical progress sector, with the Party, the state, the people, the military, and the Chinese nation all presenting a brand-new look. The first through third topics of the book deeply expound on major issues such as the fundamental guarantee and great significance of socialist cultural and ethical progress.

The Party’s leadership is the fundamental guarantee for promoting socialist cultural and ethical progress. The CPC is the leadership core of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Pursuing socialist cultural and ethical progress is an important cause of the Party and the people. To do well in areas like public communication, ideology, public opinion, philosophy and social sciences, literature and art, we must strengthen and improve the Party’s leadership and give full play to the Party’s core role in exercising overall leadership and coordinating the efforts of all sides. Topic 1 of the book focuses on expounding this issue. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out that we must unswervingly uphold the Party’s leadership over public communication, so that the Party’s banner flies high on this front. All departments, entities, Party members, and officials in this domain must unwaveringly uphold Party spirit. This entails maintaining the correct political orientation, standing firm on political positions, consistently publicizing the Party’s theories, lines, principles, and policies, effectively communicating the major work plans of the central authorities, and clearly disseminating the central authorities’ significant analyses and judgments on various circumstances. It also involves resolutely maintaining high consistency with the Party central leadership and steadfastly upholding the authority of the central leadership. This is the overarching principle that cannot be shaken. General Secretary Xi Jinping has stressed that Party committees at all levels should fulfill their duties and do their best to promote cultural and ethical progress. They must prioritize public communication in their overall work and strengthen analysis and judgments on major issues and overall planning and guidance on major strategic tasks. They must hold on firmly to their leadership and management of this work, and the say they have in it. At no time can these things be allowed to fall into the hands of others; if that happens, there would be irrevocable historic consequences. No matter how times change or how the media landscape evolves, the principle and system of the Party’s leadership over the media cannot change. Philosophical and social science work must be subject to the Party’s political leadership and work guidance, with one hand grasping its flourishing development and the other hand grasping guidance and management. The Party’s leadership over literary and artistic work must be strengthened and improved, first by firmly relying on writers and artists, and second by respecting and observing the laws of literary and artistic creation.

Persevering in arming the whole Party and educating the people with the Party’s latest theoretical achievements and innovative thinking

Topic 3 of the book elaborates on this matter. For a nation to stay ahead of the times, it cannot do without theoretical thinking and guidance for a single moment. In his political report to the 20th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed, “Marxism is the fundamental guiding ideology upon which our Party and our country are founded and thrive. Our experience has taught us that, at the fundamental level, we owe the success of our Party and socialism with Chinese characteristics to the fact that Marxism works, particularly when it is adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of our times.” Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Party Central Committee with General Secretary Xi Jinping at its core has remained committed to integrating the fundamental tenets of Marxism with the concrete realities of China and with the best elements of its traditional culture. They have deepened the understanding of the laws governing the governance by a communist party, the development of socialism, and the evolution of human society with a completely new perspective. They have correctly answered major theoretical and practical questions facing our times, and achieved major theoretical innovations. These innovations are concentrated and embodied in Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The Ten Principles, 14 Musts and 13 Achievements put forward at the 19th CPC National Congress and the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee represent the main content of this thought, which must be upheld and continuously enriched and developed over the long term. Guiding principles represent the spirit of a political party. We must arm the whole Party with Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to unify thinking, will, and action. To continue advancing theoretical innovation on the basis of practice, we must first grasp the worldview and methodology underpinning Xi Jinping Thought, and resolutely uphold and apply the positions, viewpoints and methods contained therein. We must promote contemporary Chinese Marxism and 21st-century Marxism to deeply resonate with the people and take root. This involves truly studying, understanding, believing, and applying these ideologies. By doing so, we can better unify the thoughts and actions of the entire Party and people of all ethnic groups across the nation, and more effectively transform scientific theories into powerful forces for understanding and transforming the world.

To achieve the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation requires perseverance and consistency in promoting socialist cultural and ethical progress. The rejuvenation of a nation requires tremendous material strength as well as tremendous cultural-ethical strength. Topic 2 of the book incisively expounds on the great significance of cultural-ethical progress for national rejuvenation from different perspectives.

From the perspective of consolidating the foundation for the Party’s governance, it points out that the Party’s popular support and governing foundation are both material and cultural-ethical. If the cultural and ethical foundation among the people is lost, problems will ultimately arise.

From the perspective of socialism with Chinese characteristics, it emphasizes that socialism with Chinese characteristics is a form of socialism in which material and cultural-ethical progress go hand in hand. Achieving true socialism with Chinese characteristics requires success in both these areas.

From the perspective of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, it points out that realizing the Chinese Dream is the result of balanced, mutually promoting material and cultural-ethical progress—it is a process of both types of progress stride in tandem.

From the perspective of Chinese modernization, it stresses that our modernization is the modernization of coordinated material and cultural-ethical progress. A great modern socialist country must be strong not only materially but also culturally and ethically. We must uphold the approach of “working hard to promote both material and cultural-ethical progress,” promoting cultural-ethical progress throughout the entire process of reform, opening up and modernization, and infusing it into all aspects of social life.

From the perspective of firm cultural confidence, it points out that cultural confidence is the most fundamental, profound and enduring force for the development of a country and nation. Having firm cultural confidence is a major issue concerning the rise and fall of the nation, cultural security, and the nation’s cultural and ethical independence. We are now in the era closest to the renaissance of Chinese culture. We must continue to promote socialist cultural and ethical progress to provide the Chinese people with a strong intellectual guarantee, powerful source of inspiration, rich moral nourishment, and excellent cultural conditions for continuous progress.

II. Building a Socialist Ideology with Strong Cohesive and Guiding Force

Effective ideological work is vital for the Party’s long-term stability, the nation’s cohesion, and its overall development. Topic 4 of the book explores General Secretary Xi Jinping’s key perspectives on the importance of this work. Ideological work is an essential task for the Party. While economic progress remains the central focus, this work is about strengthening the nation’s moral foundation and collective purpose.

General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that we must never relax or weaken our guidance of people’s ways of thinking while focusing on developing the economy. The 19th CPC National Congress called for holding firmly the leading position in ideological work and developing socialist ideology that has the ability to unite and the power to inspire the people. This is a major issue for upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era, and a strategic task that the entire Party, especially those on the public communication front, must undertake. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that we must uphold the Party’s leadership over ideological work, put political orientation first, strengthen the principal responsibilities of Party committees at all levels, and make greater efforts to maintain the initiative and ensure we have our say in the realm of ideology. History and reality warn us that once the ideological front is breached, other fronts will become difficult to defend. In the struggle in the ideological sphere, we have no room for any compromise or retreat—we must win complete victory. Daring to fight is a distinct characteristic of ideological work since the 18th CPC National Congress.

General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that those on the front lines of public communication work should be warriors, not gentlemen; they should not be fence-sitters or trend-watchers, nor should they be overly concerned with maintaining their personal image. They must adopt a combat stance, take on the responsibilities of a warrior, and actively engage in the struggles within the field of public communication. The struggle must grasp the rules and be artful, using strategic methods—neither numb nor overreacting. It is essential to clearly support correct thoughts and speech and to resolutely oppose and resist various erroneous viewpoints. On major political principles and fundamental issues, one must dare to confront and wield the sword. Malicious attacks and rumors must be firmly countered to correct the public perception.

Upholding the guiding position of Marxism in the field of ideology

The guiding thought of the Party and the state occupies a leading position in China’s socialist ideology. Marxism is the soul and banner of our Party. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that on the fundamental issue of upholding the guiding role of Marxism, we must maintain unswerving resolve, never wavering at any time or under any circumstances. After the 18th CPC National Congress, the system of maintaining the guiding position of Marxism in the field of ideology was established as a fundamental system within the framework of socialism with Chinese characteristics. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that the people of a country or a nation must have common ideals and convictions if they are to advance with aspiration. Persistent efforts must be made in education in ideals and convictions that have the ability to unite and the power to inspire the people to embrace shared ideals, convictions, values, and moral standards.

Firmly grasping the fundamental tasks and consciously undertaking the missions

Ideological work must prioritize centering around the core and serving the overall situation as its basic responsibility. Although the environment, targets, scope, and methods of public communication work have undergone significant changes, the fundamental tasks have not changed and cannot change. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that public communication work must firmly grasp the fundamental tasks of consolidating the guiding position of Marxism in the ideological field and strengthening the common ideological foundation for the unity and struggle of the entire Party and the people nationwide. This work must closely revolve around the missions of upholding socialism, rallying public support, fostering a new generation with sound values and ethics, and building a better national image, and promoting socialist cultural and ethical progress. He stressed the necessity of building a cultural home shared by the Chinese nation, guiding people of all ethnic groups develop an awareness of the Chinese nation as one community of shared future, in which everyone shares the rough times and the smooth together, thereby forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation.

Implementing the responsibility system for ideological work

If we do not occupy the public communication front, others will occupy it. General Secretary Xi Jinping asked if currently there is a problem of not wanting to grasp, not knowing how to grasp, or not daring to grasp ideological work? He thinks this problem does exist. Ideological work is not just the responsibility of publicity departments, the entire Party must take action to implement the responsibility system for ideological work and strengthen position-building and management. The main body of the responsibility system is Party organizations at all levels. Party committees and leading Party member groups at all levels must firmly fulfill their responsibilities. This requires breaking down tasks and accountability, assigning specific duties to individuals, and cascading responsibilities clearly through the hierarchy. Doing so ensures thorough implementation without sloppiness, lax management, or vague accountability. Public communication departments shoulder an extremely important mission in doing well in ideological work—they must take charge of their positions, be responsible for their positions, and fulfill their responsibilities. General Secretary Xi emphasized that the purpose of our public communication is to win over more people and its focus should be wherever they are. The internet is currently the forefront of ideological struggle. Safeguarding ideological security in cyberspace is a critical responsibility. We must assert dominance over online ideological discourse through a combination of management and prevention measures. This requires strengthening positive messaging and resolutely winning the ideological battle in this domain. Universities are at the forefront of ideological work. Grasping control over political education on campuses is essential to ensure universities remain a robust base for cultivating builders and successors of socialism.

III. Actively Cultivating and Broadly Practicing the Core Socialist Values

The arc of human history demonstrates that the core values widely embraced by a society are the most enduring and impactful forces shaping a nation’s progress and development. As Chinese citizens, we must consciously cultivate and embody the core socialist values. Topic 5 of the book concentrates on Xi Jinping’s important expositions on this crucial endeavor.

Cultivating and promoting the core socialist values is an important underpinning for maintaining national intellectual independence. Core values are an important stabilizer for a country. Whether we can develop core values with strong appeal is vital for social harmony and stability, and for the nation’s long-term peace and security. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that a nation and country must know who they are, where they came from, and where they are going. Once they figure this out and get it right, they must resolutely advance towards that goal. If a nation or country has no common core values, with everyone pulling in different directions and drifting aimlessly, then that nation or country will be unable to progress. General Secretary Xi stressed that our most fundamental identity is that as Chinese people, we have a unique Chinese mental fortitude and values that are ingrained in daily life among the people. If we lack mental independence, then our political, intellectual, cultural and institutional independence will be undermined at the roots. Therefore, we must cultivate and promote the core socialist values, accelerate the development of the values that fully reflect Chinese characteristics, national traits and the spirit of the times, and strive to gain the dominant position in values.

Regarding cultivating and promoting the core socialist values as a foundational project to gain popular support and solidify the political foundation

Every era has its values. In contemporary China, what core values should our nation and country uphold? This is both a theoretical and practical issue. General Secretary Xi Jinping noted that the core socialist values we have proposed integrate the value requirements for the nation, society and citizens. They embody the essential requirements of socialism as well as the spirit of the times. Prosperity, democracy, civility and harmony are requirements for the country. Freedom, equality, fairness and rule of law are requirements for society. Patriotism, dedication, integrity and friendliness are requirements for citizens. This articulation essentially addresses the major questions of what kind of country we should build, what kind of society we should develop, and what kind of citizens we should cultivate. We must approach the cultivation and promotion of core socialist values from the strategic perspective of consolidating a common intellectual foundation for the entire Party and all ethnic groups to unite and strive, as well as gaining popular support and solidifying the political foundation. We must take it as a foundational project to rally spirit and strengthen the foundation, and as a fundamental task that must be firmly grasped and implemented well. At the deepest, most fundamental and eternal level within the core socialist values is patriotism. General Secretary Xi has repeatedly emphasized that only by loving our country, our Party and socialism all and at the same time can patriotism be vibrant and true—this is the most important embodiment of contemporary Chinese patriotism. We must make patriotic education an eternal theme that runs through the entire process of national education and promoting cultural and ethical progress, and see that the people develop an accurate understanding of history, ethnicity, country, and culture, and constantly aspire to greater pride, confidence and assurance in their identity as Chinese.

Focusing on cultivating a new generation capable of shouldering the great responsibility of national rejuvenation

The criteria for builders and successors of socialism are fundamentally “socialist,” defining the essence of the individuals we need to cultivate. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that the paramount task in nurturing a new generation is to solidify their intellectual foundation with firm ideals and convictions. Those we cultivate must establish the lofty ideals of communism and the shared ideals of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Without this foundation, the goal of cultivating socialist builders and successors cannot be achieved.

Courses on political philosophy are a key component of the curriculum for implementing the fundamental task of cultivating virtue through education. Their importance lies in shaping students’ values, a point that must be firmly grasped. To cultivate a new generation capable of shouldering the great responsibility of national rejuvenation, we must harness the guiding role of core socialist values in national education, the promotion of cultural-ethical progress, and the production and dissemination of cultural products.

We must adhere to a national effort with officials taking the lead, starting from families and beginning with children, to cultivate well-rounded builders and successors of socialism who develop morally, intellectually, physically, aesthetically, and in terms of labor.

Truly integrating the core socialist values into all aspects of social life

Establishing systems is easy, but cultivating people’s hearts is difficult: nurturing core values is by no means a task achieved overnight. General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed that in fostering and living by the core socialist values, the key is to integrate knowledge and action, emphasize action over words, and apply ourselves to the implementation of these values from the big things to the little things, right down to the finest detail. The emphasis is on persisting “for a long time” and “constantly.” We must make core socialist values a daily, concrete, and vivid part of life so that everyone can sense and comprehend them, internalize them as intellectual pursuits, and externalize them into concrete actions.

General Secretary Xi pointed out that core socialist values should not only be cultivated and fostered by guiding people in their ways of thinking and encouraging good habits, but should also be guaranteed by institutions and mechanisms. Our policies should all play a guiding role in helping cultivate core socialist values. We need to use the law to promote their development. We should reflect these values in day-to-day affairs. In short, we must promote and practice the core socialist values throughout society, making them omnipresent like the air, so that they become the common value pursuit of all people, the unique source of strength of being Chinese, and the behavioral norms internalized by the people in daily life.

IV. Promoting the Party’s Great Founding Spirit and Using the Best Elements of Traditional Chinese Culture, Revolutionary Culture, and Advanced Socialist Culture to Lay the Foundation, Nourish the Roots, and Forge the Soul of Our Nation, Develop People’s Wisdom, and Cultivate Their Hearts

Spirit is the soul that a nation relies on for its enduring existence. Only when reaching a certain intellectual height can a nation stand upright in the torrents of history and forge bravely ahead. We must inherit and carry forward the Party’s great founding spirit and other inspiring principles forged by the people in their struggles led by the Party during different historical periods, using our shared ideals and convictions to forge unity. Topics 6 and 8 of the book fully reflect General Secretary Xi Jinping’s major statements on this subject.

Promoting the long line of inspiring principles of Chinese Communists stemming from the Party’s great founding spirit

Great causes give birth to great spirit, and great spirit leads great causes. The Party’s century-long struggle shows that only a party with great spirit can lead the people in winning great struggles and creating great accomplishments. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that the pioneers of Communism in China established the CPC and developed the great founding spirit of the Party, which is comprised of the following principles: upholding truth and ideals, staying true to our original aspiration and founding mission, fighting bravely without fear of sacrifice, and remaining loyal to the Party and faithful to the people. This spirit is the Party’s source of strength. Topic 6 of the book is about the rich connotations of this series of spirit.

General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed that red is the most brilliant color of the CPC and the People’s Republic of China. Red resources bear witness to our Party’s arduous and glorious journey of struggle. They are the most precious intellectual wealth, which must be carefully protected, managed and utilized. We must strengthen scientific preservation, carry out systematic research, create fine exhibitions, and enhance the educational function, so that they become great schools for educating, inspiring and cultivating people. We must widely promote education on the histories of the Party, the People’s Republic of China, reform and opening up, and socialist development throughout society. We must focus on telling the stories of the Party, of revolution, and of heroes well, in order to foster love for the Party, the nation and socialism, and pass on the red genes and revolutionary torch from generation to generation.

Developing an advanced socialist culture

The soul of a nation is cultivated and molded by culture. Socialism with Chinese characteristics is a great cause of comprehensive development and all-around progress. Without a thriving and evolving socialist culture, there can be no socialist modernization. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, we have elevated cultural development to new historical heights. Culture is a key part of the efforts to coordinate efforts to pursue the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan and the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy; an important pillar for promoting high-quality development; an essential factor for meeting people’s ever-growing needs for a better life; and a vital source of strength for overcoming risks and challenges on the road ahead. On the new journey, we must place cultural development in a prominent position in the overall work, and firmly grasp and carry it out effectively, so as to provide a powerful positive force for upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era and creating a new phase for the cause of the Party and the country.

Promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of the best elements of traditional Chinese culture

Why has the Chinese nation been able to endure, preserve its heritage, and develop tenaciously through thousands of years of history? An important reason is that the Chinese nation has a continuous intellectual pursuit, a distinct set of intellectual qualities, and a long tradition of inspiring principles. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that we must not discard the fine cultural traditions of the Chinese nation; on the contrary, we must carry them on because they are the base and the soul of the Chinese nation, and if our nation loses its base and soul it will be without a foundation. He emphasized that in promoting the best elements of traditional Chinese culture, we must properly balance inheritance and creative development, focusing on creative transformation and innovative development. We must let cultural relics, history and culture speak for themselves, explaining clearly the historical origins, developmental inspiring principles and basic trajectories of the best elements of traditional Chinese culture, as well as the unique creations, values and distinctive features of Chinese culture. We must seek the source of vitality from the best elements of traditional Chinese culture, systematically summarize traditional cultural resources, and inject new life into the treasures buried away in our ancient palaces, the heritage sites spread all over our vast land, and our rich wealth of ancient writings. We must promote cultural confidence and self-strengthening, and cultivate talent, educate people, do more to foster a Chinese spirit, Chinese values, and Chinese strength through the intellectual wealth created by the Chinese nation.

V. Promoting Common Prosperity in People’s Cultural Lives

The common prosperity that we pursue, both material and cultural, is for all of our people. In promoting socialist cultural and ethical progress, we must accomplish real work and achieve real results, focusing closely on promoting people’s wellbeing and continuously meeting their diverse, multilevel and multifaceted cultural needs. Topics 7, 9 and 10 of the book fully reflect General Secretary Xi Jinping’s major statements on this subject.

Adhering to a people-centered work orientation

In promoting socialist cultural and ethical progress, we must first address the fundamental questions of “whom we serve, whom we rely on, and who we are.” General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that to excel in public communication work, we must maintain a mass orientation and commit to realizing, upholding, and advancing the fundamental interests of the vast majority of the people. We need to establish a people-centered work approach, combining the service of the people with educating and guiding them. This includes integrating efforts to meet their needs with initiatives to improve their quality of life, enriching their cultural experiences, enhancing their moral strength, and fulfilling their cultural needs. Philosophy and social sciences must uphold the view that the people are the creators of history. They should establish the ideal of pursuing scholarship for the people, respect their central role, focus on their practical innovations, and produce research results that can withstand the scrutiny of practice, the people, and history. Literature and art must adhere to a people-centered creative approach, placing the people in the highest regard and considering their satisfaction as the ultimate standard for evaluating art. Creators should immerse themselves in the lives of the people, drawing inspiration from them to produce outstanding works that resonate with the times and the populace. This way, the garden of literature and art will forever flourish for the people.

Better meeting people’s new expectations for cultural lives

As people’s living standards continue to rise, their demands for the quality, taste, and style of cultural products have also increased. The principal contradiction in China’s cultural supply is no longer about scarcity or adequacy, but about quality. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that to meet the people’s new aspirations for a better life, we must provide them with rich intellectual nourishment so that our people can enjoy a richer cultural life of higher quality. Developing cultural undertakings is essential to meeting people’s cultural needs and safeguarding their cultural rights. We must adhere to the principles of serving the people and socialism, uphold the policy of letting a hundred flowers bloom and a hundred schools of thought contend, and promote the comprehensive prosperity of the press, publishing, broadcasting, film, television, literature, art, philosophy, and social sciences. In developing cultural industries, we must prioritize social benefits while aligning them with economic returns, promote supply-side structural reform in the cultural sector, improve planning and policies for cultural industries, and roll out more cultural products suited to the New Era. We should aim to progress from a foundation of solid achievements to new heights of excellence in cultural accomplishments, enhancing people’s sense of cultural fulfillment and happiness through high-quality cultural supply. We must standardize and equalize access to public cultural services, adhering to the principles of government leadership, social participation, grassroots focus, extensive consultation, and shared benefits. We must improve the public cultural service system and increase the coverage and applicability of basic public cultural services.

Cultural development should be robust in both the eastern regions and the central and western regions. Urban culture should thrive alongside rural culture, with special attention to cultural development in old revolutionary base areas, areas with concentrations of ethnic minorities, border areas, and impoverished areas, ensuring none are left behind.

Strengthening the moral integrity of the Chinese people

Without morals, a country cannot thrive, and its people cannot stand upright. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that moral development is importantly about inspiring people to develop virtuous moral wills and feelings, cultivating correct moral judgments and responsibilities, and improving moral practice abilities, especially the ability to consciously put morality into practice. We must uphold the Marxist and socialist moral view, and promote the fine traditional virtues of the Chinese nation. We must thoroughly implement the Project of Civic Moral Development, promote social morality, professional ethics, family virtues, and individual integrity, so that each and every one of the 1.4 billion people becomes a vehicle for spreading the virtues of the Chinese nation. We must carry out extensive publicity and learning activities to transform the exemplary force of moral models into the vivid practices of hundreds of millions. We must combine law-based and virtue-based governance, emphasizing both the normative role of law and the educational role of morality, and strive to form a positive social atmosphere and social order.

General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed that we must establish a new family outlook for the New Era, help our children button the first button in their lifetime, promote good family traditions, and allow the good family traditions of millions of households to underpin the positive atmosphere of the whole of society. The root of education lies in moral education. Moral education must run through students’ learning from beginning to end and through every aspect and stage of school work. As long as the Chinese nation pursues lofty moral realms generation after generation, our nation will always be full of hope.

Promoting new trends of the times and improving civility in the whole of society

Civility is a prominent hallmark of a modern nation. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that strengthening social norms and civil conduct will be a major task in building a great socialist culture, and we will make sustained efforts to pursue cultural progress. Ideas, attitudes, civilized customs and norms of conduct must be fostered to meet the requirements of the New Era. Implementing mass programs for cultural-ethical progress are an effective way to improve the quality of citizens and the standards of social civility. We must deepen the creation of model cities, towns, organizations, families and campuses. We must continue to raise the people’s moral, ethical, and cultural standards, and encourage them to take part in voluntary service. We will build an honest society, and promote a sound environment on the internet. We should establish centers to spearhead ethical and cultural advancement in the New Era, cultivating new social norms and behaviors. Across society, we must foster respect for labor, emulate moral exemplars, and amplify the stories of model workers, laborers, and artisans. In doing so, we can nurture a social climate that reveres labor as the most honorable, noble, and admirable pursuit.

General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed that cultivating and improving civility is a long-term process, but we must start with small actions. For instance, he emphasized that wasteful behavior must be stamped out, and that saving food should begin with educating children. Additionally, Xi called for opposing exorbitant bride prices and extravagant weddings and funerals, as well as advocating integrity and keeping one’s word as a social norm. In guiding social norms, Xi stated that leading officials at all levels must be the flag-bearers and models, and all Party members must play an exemplary vanguard role. They should use good Party conduct to influence social conduct, and advocate new positive trends for the times.