By studying history, we gain clarity, build confidence, cultivate virtue, and put knowledge into practice. Standing at the historical juncture of the “Two Centenaries,” we look back on our journey of struggle past and gaze forward toward the path of vigorous advancement ahead.

Tongfang Law Firm provides all its lawyers with learning opportunities in the form of micro-party classes, thereby enhancing their ideological and political awareness as well as their spirit of learning and inquiry. By establishing a long-term educational mechanism, the firm has created a new platform for self-education and self-improvement.

Adhering to upholding the correct principles while fostering innovation is crucial for ensuring that scientific theories remain vibrant and dynamic. “Password.” In the new era, Chinese Communists have adopted “upholding orthodoxy while promoting innovation” as a scientific approach to advancing theoretical innovation, thereby opening up a new realm for the sinicization and modernization of Marxism through the interplay of upholding orthodoxy and fostering innovation. Culture is fundamental to a nation’s essence and destiny; it is the soul of a country and a people—and precisely this area most urgently calls for both upholding orthodoxy and promoting innovation. Xi Jinping’s Thought on Culture is a theoretical achievement that innovates within the framework of upholding orthodoxy and evolves through continuous innovation, vividly embodying the spirit of upholding orthodoxy and promoting innovation. Guided by Xi Jinping’s Thought on Culture, our Party and people have firmly cultivated cultural confidence and self-reliance, achieving historic accomplishments in cultural development. Looking ahead to the new cultural mission of the new era, we must adhere to upholding orthodoxy to understand ourselves clearly and stay true to our direction; we must embrace innovation to grasp the present moment and meet the future head-on. Together, let us strive to make our contribution to building a modern civilization of the Chinese nation.

Xi Jinping’s cultural thought is a major achievement that upholds the correct principles while fostering innovation.

The history of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism is, in essence, the history of the Chinese Communist Party members advancing the new development of Marxism through upholding its fundamental principles while fostering innovation. Marxism is both a scientific theory and an open theory that continuously evolves. Over the course of more than a century of extraordinary journey, our Party has repeatedly emphasized that the basic tenets of Marxism “must be upheld,” while at the same time stressing the need to “write new works and forge new theories,” regarding the continuous advancement of Marxism as a sacred duty and constantly composing new chapters in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. Since the 18th National Congress of the Party, our Party has proposed and adhered to the fundamental approach of “the two combinations,” enriching and developing Marxism with fresh ideological content, thereby giving rise to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and achieving a new leap in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. As the cultural dimension of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, Xi Jinping’s thought on culture itself represents a major theoretical achievement grounded in the principle of upholding the fundamental while fostering innovation.

“Upholding the correct path” means steadfastly adhering to truth and staying true to the right way. In Xi Jinping’s cultural thought, “upholding the correct path” is embodied in an unwavering commitment to Marxist cultural theory and to the socialist cultural orientation. This thought consistently upholds the cultural ideals and value pursuits of Marxism, insists on using the materialist conception of history to observe and reflect upon cultural issues, and unequivocally opposes historical nihilism and cultural nihilism. It focuses on consolidating the guiding position of Marxism in the ideological sphere, firmly upholding the Communist Party of China’s cultural leadership and the fundamental direction of socialist cultural development. Moreover, “upholding the correct path” in Xi Jinping’s cultural thought is also reflected in the conscious inheritance of China’s outstanding traditional culture. This thought puts forward and adheres to the fundamental requirement of “the two combinations,” summarizes and distills the distinctive features and cultural essence of Chinese civilization, and emphasizes strengthening the cultural subjectivity of the Chinese nation by reinforcing its foundations and nurturing its roots, while clearing away obstacles and ensuring a smooth flow. Thus, it has laid a solid cultural foundation for contemporary China’s development and progress, and highlighted the distinct cultural characteristics of Chinese civilization in its engagement with the world.

“Innovation” means daring to explore and blaze new trails. The “innovation” in Xi Jinping’s thought on culture is embodied in its creative revelation of the laws governing the construction of socialist culture and its innovative guidance of contemporary Chinese cultural development practice. This thought keenly grasps the new cultural challenges posed by the new developments of our times and the new changes in global, regional, and national conditions. Focusing on major theoretical and practical issues in the field of cultural development—including ideological education, public opinion propaganda, ideological and moral development, cultural and artistic endeavors, internet development and management, and external publicity—this thought has put forward a series of new ideas, new perspectives, and new judgments, thereby elevating our Party’s understanding of the laws governing the construction of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics to a new height.

“Upholding the fundamental principles” and “promoting innovation” complement and dialectically unify one another. Xi Jinping’s thought on culture both upholds the “ancestors’ legacy” and introduces many “new ideas.” Grounded in the present, it integrates history while looking toward the future, encapsulating the essence of the times in Chinese culture and the Chinese spirit. It has made original contributions to enriching and developing Marxist cultural theory and to inheriting and promoting China’s outstanding traditional culture.

The spirit of upholding integrity and promoting innovation runs through Xi Jinping’s cultural thought.

At the symposium on cultural heritage and development, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized three key aspects for continuing to promote cultural prosperity, building a culturally strong nation, and constructing a modern Chinese civilization at a new starting point: firmly upholding cultural confidence, embracing openness and inclusiveness, and adhering to both upholding the fundamental principles and promoting innovative development. Among these, adhering to both upholding the fundamental principles and promoting innovative development is not only one of the three pillars but also serves as the ultimate focal point. To shoulder the new cultural mission of the new era, we must—above all—create new glories in socialist culture through the practice of upholding the fundamental principles while fostering innovation. It can be said that upholding the fundamental principles and promoting innovation constitutes both the spiritual foundation underlying the formation and establishment of a series of original achievements in Xi Jinping’s cultural thought, and the overarching spiritual quality permeating every aspect of this thought.

The spirit of upholding orthodoxy while fostering innovation is vividly reflected in the Party’s clear emphasis on its cultural mission. The Communist Party of China is a political party with a strong sense of cultural mission, and it has consistently and tirelessly striven to build a new culture for the Chinese nation. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, our Party has repeatedly stressed the need to shoulder a new cultural mission and create new splendors for socialist culture. At the symposium on the inheritance and development of culture, General Secretary Xi Jinping further pointed out: “The best way to inherit history is to create new history; the greatest tribute to human civilization is to forge a new form of human civilization.” He also stated, “Continuing to promote cultural prosperity, build a culturally strong nation, and construct a modern Chinese civilization at a new starting point—this is our new cultural mission in the new era.” The spirit of upholding orthodoxy while fostering innovation is inherently embedded in the cultural mission we bear: the culture we are today committed to flourishing and developing is an organic, unified new cultural entity formed by the fusion of Marxist scientific theory and the genes of China’s outstanding traditional culture. The culturally strong nation and the modern Chinese civilization we are working hard to build represent both the continuation of ancient cultures and civilizations and the creative transformation and innovative development of our fine traditions. “Though Zhou is an old state, its mandate lies in renewal.” Only by adhering to the spirit of upholding orthodoxy while fostering innovation can we deeply understand and consciously shoulder this new cultural mission, thereby enabling Chinese culture and Chinese civilization to regain their former glory.

The spirit of upholding orthodoxy while fostering innovation is embodied in our unwavering commitment to the path of cultural development. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: “To blaze a new trail for socialism with Chinese characteristics on the profound foundation of over 5,000 years of Chinese civilization and to integrate the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with China’s outstanding traditional culture is an inevitable path.” Cultural development is an essential component of the overall strategic layout of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and the “two integrations”—integrating Marxism with China’s specific realities and with China’s outstanding traditional culture—are likewise indispensable for building a strong socialist culture and forging a new glory for Chinese culture. The fundamental approach of the “two integrations” itself vividly reflects the qualities and requirements of upholding orthodoxy while fostering innovation. The “integration” solidifies the foundation of our path forward, endowing the development path of socialism with Chinese characteristics in culture with a broader and deeper historical dimension; moreover, the “integration” provides us with a space for bold cultural innovation, enabling us to take the initiative in thought and culture and to make fuller and more confident use of the invaluable resources of China’s outstanding traditional culture as we explore cultural innovation oriented toward the future.

The spirit of upholding orthodoxy while fostering innovation is embodied in the repeated elaboration on the cultural ethos. This spirit is an essential quality that underpins and guides a cultural system to thrive and advance vigorously. It is a key theme repeatedly emphasized and highlighted by General Secretary Xi Jinping in his discussions on cultural ethos. Looking back at history, General Secretary Xi Jinping has profoundly revealed the distinctive qualities of the spirit of upholding orthodoxy and fostering innovation inherent in Chinese culture and Chinese civilization, stressing that “the Chinese nation is a nation that upholds orthodoxy and fosters innovation,” and that “Chinese civilization possesses a strong cultural subjectivity and vibrant vitality, enabling it to develop itself, respond to challenges, and create new horizons.” Chinese civilization exhibits remarkable innovativeness, which fundamentally determines the Chinese nation’s spirit of upholding orthodoxy without being stuck in the past and honoring tradition without blindly imitating antiquity. Grounded in the present and looking toward the future, General Secretary Xi Jinping attaches great importance to cultivating and promoting the spirit of upholding orthodoxy and fostering innovation. He emphasizes: “When I proposed upholding orthodoxy and fostering innovation, I was emphasizing that we must neither follow the old path of closure and rigidity nor take the wrong path of changing banners and altering our course.” He further asserts that “cultural workers in the new era must carry forward the integrity and vigor of upholding orthodoxy and fostering innovation, continuing the historical cultural thread and composing brilliant chapters for the contemporary era.” These important statements, from the perspective of upholding orthodoxy and fostering innovation, profoundly reveal the intrinsic reasons behind the enduring vitality and ever-renewing nature of Chinese culture and Chinese civilization, providing crucial guidance for cultivating and promoting the cultural ethos of the new era.

The spirit of upholding orthodoxy while fostering innovation is reflected in the practical requirements for all fronts within the cultural sphere. Xi Jinping’s thought on culture, which integrates essence with application and seamlessly connects theory with practice, constitutes a systematic and comprehensive scientific framework. Upholding orthodoxy while fostering innovation is not only an important ideological approach in Xi Jinping’s thought on culture but also a key working methodology. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that “in cultural development, upholding orthodoxy ensures we remain true to ourselves and stay on the right course, while innovation enables us to grasp and lead the times,” thereby highlighting the crucial significance of adhering to both orthodoxy and innovation. In leading and promoting specific areas of cultural development, General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly stressed the principles and requirements of upholding orthodoxy while fostering innovation—for instance, he has called for the propaganda and ideological work of the new era to “persist in seeking progress amid stability and uphold orthodoxy while fostering innovation.” He has also encouraged literary and artistic workers to “grasp the relationship between inheritance and innovation, learn from the past without being bound by it, break with old conventions without violating established laws, and allow China’s outstanding traditional culture to serve as a vital source of inspiration for artistic and literary innovation.” Moreover, he has instructed those engaged in the cultural industry to “firmly uphold the correct guiding principles, adhere to upholding orthodoxy while fostering innovation, and ensure the sustained, healthy, and robust development of the cultural industry.” Furthermore, he has urged foreign publicity workers to “grasp the overarching trends of our times, carry forward fine traditions, uphold orthodoxy while fostering innovation, and accelerate integrated development.” It can be said that the spirit of upholding orthodoxy while fostering innovation permeates every aspect and the entire process of the Party’s deployment and promotion of propaganda, ideological, and cultural work in the new era.

Upholding integrity while fostering innovation is a distinctive feature of cultural development practice in the new era.

General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly pointed out: “The leap in theory is not reflected in the originality of words and phrases, nor in the self-consistency and self-proof of logic; at its core, it must be reflected in addressing practical problems and guiding practical development.” As a major theoretical achievement that upholds orthodoxy while fostering innovation, Xi Jinping’s Thought on Culture, in guiding cultural development in the new era, infuses the spirit of upholding orthodoxy and promoting innovation into every aspect of cultural practice, thereby leading and driving breakthrough progress in building a culturally strong nation.

Upholding the soul and essence of Marxism, we are writing a new chapter in ideological work by returning to the roots and clarifying the origins. Ideology determines the nature and direction of culture, and it is closely linked to the future and destiny of the Party and the country. At the same time, China’s ideological field currently faces new situational demands, calling for us to strengthen the cohesion and guiding power of socialist ideology through both upholding the fundamental principles and promoting innovative approaches. In practice, our Party has established and consistently upheld the fundamental institutional position of Marxism as the guiding ideology in the ideological sphere; we adhere to the “two combinations” to advance the sinicization and modernization of Marxism, and we employ diverse forms, channels, and methods to ensure that the Party’s innovative theories for the new era deeply resonate with the people. We firmly safeguard the Communist Party of China’s cultural leadership, fully implement the responsibility system for ideological work, promote innovation and development in communication methods, enhance the reach, guidance, influence, and credibility of news and public opinion, and firmly hold the internet—the main front, main battlefield, and forefront of ideological struggle—creating a clean and healthy cyberspace. We are advancing the construction of a Chinese-characteristic system of philosophical and social science disciplines, academic systems, and discourse systems, adhering to a problem-oriented approach, responding to the calls of the times, and accelerating the establishment of an independent Chinese knowledge system. Through unremitting efforts that combine establishing the new and discarding the old, purifying the murky and uplifting the clear, China’s ideological landscape has undergone a comprehensive and fundamental transformation. The sense of solidarity and centripetal force across society have been greatly enhanced, effectively consolidating the common ideological foundation for the united struggle of all Party members and people of all ethnic groups across the country.

Upholding the roots of China’s outstanding traditional culture, we are forging a new glory for Chinese culture through both inheriting the past and innovating for the future. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, CPC members have demonstrated a strong sense of historical responsibility by vigorously implementing the Project for Inheriting and Developing China’s Outstanding Traditional Culture and deepening the Project for Tracing the Origins of Chinese Civilization. They have fully leveraged new technologies and methods brought about by modern scientific and technological advances to safeguard the cultural heritage, and have made concerted efforts to reinvigorate the powerful vitality of China’s outstanding traditional culture. We have promoted the spiritual lineage of the CPC, originating from the great spirit of Party building, carried out Party history education and “Four Histories” education, innovatively organized commemorative activities, honored national heroes and role models, and continued to pass on the red gene and red bloodline. Adhering to a creation orientation centered on the people, we have guided literary and artistic workers to vividly capture the transformations of our times, China’s progress, and the aspirations of the people, thus driving the comprehensive development of cultural undertakings and cultural industries. We have also deeply implemented projects aimed at benefiting the people through culture, making every effort to meet the growing spiritual and cultural needs of the masses. These concerted measures are designed to integrate China’s outstanding traditional culture, revolutionary culture, and advanced socialist culture, thereby promoting the flourishing development of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics in the new era and ensuring that the core socialist values are widely embraced throughout society. As a result, the cultural confidence of the entire Party and the Chinese people has significantly strengthened, gathering even more proactive spiritual strength for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Upholding the right path for the development of human civilization and presenting a new image of Chinese civilization through mutual exchange and learning—such is the historical context in which the “two overarching situations” are accelerating their evolution and deepening their interaction, placing even higher demands on us to carry out cultural exchanges and mutual learning in the spirit of upholding core principles while fostering innovation. Our Party is committed to pursuing common prosperity for the world, responding to the general trend of human civilizational evolution, grounding ourselves in the practice of Chinese-style modernization, and firmly holding onto the position of Chinese culture. We have proposed and put into practice the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, put forward the Global Civilization Initiative, promoted common values shared by all humanity, and dedicated our achievements in cultural innovation and creation to the world. We are speeding up the construction of a Chinese discourse and narrative system, enhancing our capacity for international communication, telling China’s story well to the world, and ensuring that China’s voice is heard loud and clear. We are also expanding channels for cultural exchange and mutual learning, leveraging public goods such as the Belt and Road Initiative to strengthen international cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and hosting major sporting and cultural events like the Winter Olympics and the Asian Games, thereby providing a broad platform for global cultural exchange and mutual learning. Today, China’s national cultural soft power and the influence of Chinese culture have significantly increased. Chinese wisdom, Chinese propositions, and the Chinese spirit are widely disseminated around the world, gaining understanding, respect, and sharing from an ever-growing number of people, and making important contributions to advancing human civilization.

Upholding integrity and fostering innovation are the fundamental principles for creating a new culture that lives up to the aspirations of our new era.

Against the backdrop of an era in which the “two overarching situations” are accelerating their evolution and engaging in deep interaction, cultural development faces new circumstances and new tasks. We must earnestly enhance our ideological identification with and conscious commitment to practicing cultural development in the new era and on the new journey under the guidance of Xi Jinping’s thought on culture. Upholding the integrity and vigor of upholding the correct while fostering innovation, we must shoulder our new cultural mission and continuously imbue cultural development efforts with fresh momentum and new achievements.

First, we must pioneer cultural practice with a spirit of upholding orthodoxy and fostering innovation. All human social life is, at its core, practical in nature. Pioneering cultural practice through the combination of upholding orthodoxy and fostering innovation is both the foundation and the prerequisite for achieving cultural prosperity and development. On the basis of deeply grasping the essential laws governing cultural change and adhering to the correct direction of cultural development, we must further promote the enterprising spirit of pioneering and innovation as well as the fearless attitude of being open to new ideas. In practice, we should focus on deepening reform of the cultural system, continuously exploring new approaches, new models, and new methods for cultural practice, and steadily enhancing cultural cohesion, boosting cultural creativity, and expanding cultural influence. The great creative endeavors of the people are an inexhaustible source of cultural innovation. In pioneering cultural practice through the combination of upholding orthodoxy and fostering innovation, we must always remain firmly committed to “walking hand in hand with the people,” closely grounding ourselves in the vibrant and dynamic practices of the people’s daily lives and production, vigorously tapping into the wisdom and strength hidden within the broad masses, respecting the people’s pioneering spirit, and fully unleashing the cultural creative vitality of the masses.

Second, we must cultivate high-quality cultural works imbued with the spirit of upholding orthodoxy while fostering innovation. The ability to produce and create outstanding cultural works is a crucial yardstick for gauging the strength of a nation’s and its people’s cultural creativity. To nurture such high-quality cultural works, we must deeply root ourselves in the rich heritage of our national culture. If we fail to uphold the “orthodoxy” of our historical cultural traditions and lose sight of our distinctive national characteristics, we will never be able to create cultural masterpieces that truly resonate with people’s hearts. At the same time, the cultivation of high-quality works also requires us to closely follow the surging tide of the times; without reflecting the “changes” brought about by contemporary development through new content and new forms, we cannot possibly produce vibrant and dynamic cultural masterpieces. As cultural workers in the new era, we must firmly uphold our historical and cultural confidence, adhere to the principle of drawing on the past for the present and renewing the old with the new, and fully leverage new technologies and innovative approaches to spark creative inspiration, enrich cultural depth, and express our thoughts and emotions. We must strive for excellence, innovate relentlessly, and endeavor to create outstanding works worthy of both our nation and our times—works that, rooted in our historical cultural traditions and bathed in the radiant light of the times, will blossom into dazzling and breathtaking flowers.

Third, we must develop cultural theory with a spirit of upholding orthodoxy and fostering innovation. Theory arises from practice yet actively influences and shapes practice in turn; through close interaction with practice, it blossoms and bears fruit, continuously radiating new vitality and vigor. Xi Jinping’s Thought on Culture is an ever-evolving, open, and scientifically systematic body of thought that will undoubtedly continue to grow richer and more developed as our practical endeavors deepen. We must ground our research and interpretation of Xi Jinping’s Thought on Culture firmly in the contemporary practice of building Chinese culture, deeply grasping its core essence, spiritual substance, rich内涵, and practical requirements. We should also profoundly elucidate the logic behind the generation of its principled theoretical achievements and their intrinsic interconnections. “Marxism does not reject any truth—no matter when or where it originates—as long as it represents genuine knowledge, it can serve as nourishment for enriching and developing itself.” In the process of upholding orthodoxy and fostering innovation to enrich and develop cultural theory, we must, while firmly adhering to the “upholding orthodoxy” premise of the “two combinations,” look outward toward the world and toward the future, drawing widely from the “sum total of human knowledge,” making dialectical selections and judicious choices, and thus continually enriching and developing a Sinicized and contemporary Marxist cultural theory.