A Systematic Exploration of Xi Jinping’s Cultural Thought

The process of theoretical innovation does not advance in a straightforward, linear manner; rather, it resembles a river flowing from high mountains to the sea, starting as a trickle and swelling into a mighty torrent, taking on different characteristics at different times and stages. The theoretical innovation of the New Era has traversed a course of more than a decade, from the grand goal of the Chinese Dream, which burst onto the scene, to the profound and steady scientific worldview and methodology of the “Six Musts,” revealing an important feature: the continuous systematization and theorization. In June 2023, during a collective study session of the Political Bureau of the Party Central Committee [1]1 The "Ten Clarifications," "Fourteen Perseverances," "Thirteen Areas of Achievement," "Two Integrations," and "Six Imperatives" are numbered frameworks summarizing the core components of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, as codified in Party documents and reports. themed “Opening Up a New Frontier in Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Needs of the Times,” Xi Jinping pointed out: “Promoting the systematization and theorization of theory is an inherent requirement and an important pathway for theoretical innovation.” It is against this backdrop that Xi Jinping’s Cultural Thought was explicitly proposed. Therefore, to comprehensively grasp the formation, development, rich connotations, and major significance of Xi Jinping’s Cultural Thought, we must focus on conducting scholarly interpretations from the perspective of systematization.

理论创新的过程不是平铺直叙的线性推进，而是如从高山流向大海的江河，从涓涓细流到奔腾磅礴，在不同时期、不同阶段，带有不同的特点。新时代理论创新走过了十多年的历程，从横空出世的中国梦的宏大目标到静水流深的“六个必须坚持”的科学世界观和方法论，显示出的一个重要特点就是不断体系化学理化。2023年6月，在以“开辟马克思主义中国化时代化新境界”为主题的中央政治局集体学习中，习近平指出：“推进理论的体系化学理化，是理论创新的内在要求和重要途径。”习近平文化思想正是在这一背景下明确提出的。因此，全面把握习近平文化思想的形成发展、丰富内涵和重大意义，要着力从体系化角度进行学理阐释。

I. Xi Jinping’s Cultural Thought Is an Important Achievement in Promoting the Systematization of the Party’s Innovative Theory

一、习近平文化思想是推进党的创新理论体系化的重要成果

Promoting the systematization of theory is a major trend in current theoretical development. Systematization is a manifestation of the maturation of both practice and theory. From the perspective of practice, practice is the source of theory. Theory is always explored in practice, accumulated in practice, summarized in practice, and tested in practice. After more than a decade of grand and sweeping practice in the New Era, and grounded in the historic achievements and historic transformations of the New Era, theoretical innovation has been initiated, developed, and has become increasingly rich and mature in practice. From the perspective of theory, theoretical development has its own process and logic. Theoretical innovation gradually accumulates bit by bit, continuously precipitates and condenses over time, moving from individual viewpoints to basic frameworks, from the establishment of a system to its perfection, gestating and generating qualitative change through the accumulation of quantitative change, and continuously upgrading through the mutual transformation of quality and quantity. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC [2]2 The Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC was held in November 2021 and adopted a landmark resolution on the Party’s major achievements and historical experience over the past century., theoretical innovation has progressed from proposing a series of new thoughts, new concepts, and new strategies—such as the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, a community with a shared future for mankind, the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy, and the New Development Concept—to the 19th National Congress of the CPC [3]3 The “summary of achievements in thirteen areas” refers to the resolution of the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee, which enumerated historic achievements in thirteen fields, including culture., which summarized the main content of the Party’s innovative theory since the New Era as the “Eight Clarifications” and the “Fourteen Persistences.” [4]4 The National Conference on Propaganda, Ideology, and Cultural Work was held in October 2023. Its name was changed from previous “National Conference on Propaganda and Ideology Work” to include “cultural work,” signaling the formal elevation After further summarization at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC [5]5 The 18th National Congress of the CPC was held in 2012, marking the beginning of the New Era under Xi Jinping’s leadership., and then at the 20th National Congress of the CPC, it was summarized as the “Ten Clarifications,” the “Fourteen Persistences,” and the “Achievements in Thirteen Aspects,” [6]6 “New journey of the New Era” refers to the period after the 20th National Congress of the CPC (2022), during which the Party leads the people in striving for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. with the scientific methods for advancing the Party’s theoretical innovation, such as the “Two Integrations” and the “Six Musts,” being refined and profoundly expounded. Our Party’s theoretical viewpoints have continuously enriched, and its theoretical summaries have continuously deepened. Having reached the current stage, the Party’s innovative theory for the New Era is increasingly mature, and its systematic advancement is timely.

推进理论的体系化是当前理论发展的重要趋势。体系化是实践成熟和理论成熟的一种体现。从实践的角度看，实践是理论之源。理论总是在实践中探索，在实践中积累，在实践中总结，在实践中检验。经过新时代十多年宏阔磅礴的实践，立足新时代历史性成就、历史性变革的基础，理论创新在实践中发轫、发育并日益丰富、成熟。从理论的角度看，理论发展有其自身的过程和逻辑。理论创新在点滴中逐步汇聚，在时间中不断沉淀凝练，从个别观点到基本构架、从体系创立到体系完善，在量变积累中孕育和产生质变，在质量互变中不断升级。党的十八大以来的理论创新，从提出中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦、人类命运共同体、“四个全面”战略布局、新发展理念等一系列新思想新理念新战略，到党的十九大将新时代以来党的创新理论的主要内容概括为“八个明确”“十四个坚持”，经过党的十九届六中全会的概括，到党的二十大将其概括为“十个明确”“十四个坚持”“十三个方面成就”，并总结提炼和深刻阐述“两个结合”“六个必须坚持”等推进党的理论创新的科学方法，我们党的理论观点不断丰富，理论总结不断深化。发展到今天这个阶段，新时代党的创新理论日臻成熟，体系化推进正当其时。

The explicit proposal of Xi Jinping’s Cultural Thought is an important manifestation of promoting the systematization of the Party’s innovative theory. Xi Jinping pointed out: “The Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is a complete system, composed of several component parts, such as economic thought, rule-of-law thought, ecological civilization thought, military thought, and diplomatic thought, which need to be further enriched and developed. As the process of practice deepens, the Party’s achievements in theoretical innovation will become increasingly abundant.” From the perspective of systematization, the formation and development of the large system of the entire theory and the small systems that are its components are synchronized and aligned. The more mature the large system becomes, the more it will branch out and develop more small systems. The systematization of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is reflected in the proposal and maturation of each component part of this scientific theoretical system. In April 2014, Xi Jinping proposed a holistic view of national security. In 2017, the 19th National Congress of the CPC explicitly proposed Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and in the same year, Xi Jinping’s Thought on Military Strengthening and Xi Jinping’s Economic Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era were proposed; in 2018, Xi Jinping’s Thought on Ecological Civilization and Xi Jinping’s Diplomatic Thought were proposed; in 2020, Xi Jinping’s Thought on the Rule of Law was proposed. After the 20th National Congress of the CPC, in October 2023, the National Conference on Propaganda, Ideology, and Cultural Work explicitly proposed Xi Jinping’s Cultural Thought. This is the proposal of a thought at this level nearly three years after the

明确提出习近平文化思想，是推进党的创新理论体系化的重要体现。习近平指出：“新时代中国特色社会主义思想是一个完整体系，由若干组成部分共同构成，如经济思想、法治思想、生态文明思想、强军思想、外交思想，要进一步丰富和发展。随着实践进程的深化，党的理论创新成果会越来越丰富。”从体系化的角度看，整个理论的大体系与作为其组成部分的小体系的形成发展是同向同频的。大体系越成熟，就越会开枝散叶，发展出更多的小体系。习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的体系化，体现在这一科学理论体系的各个组成部分的提出和成熟上。2014年4月，习近平提出总体国家安全观。2017年，党的十九大明确提出习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，同年提出习近平强军思想、习近平新时代中国特色社会主义经济思想；2018年提出习近平生态文明思想、习近平外交思想，2020年提出习近平法治思想。党的二十大之后，2023年10月，全国宣传思想文化工作会议明确提出习近平文化思想。这是提出习近平法治思想近三年后明确提出这一层次的思想，是新时代党的创新理论体系化的新进展。需要指出的是，2023年6月，习近平在对党的建设和组织工作的重要指示中提出关于党的建设的重要思想；2024年1月，党的二十届中央纪委三次全会提出习近平总书记关于党的自我革命的重要思想等，也都是进一步推进党的创新理论体系化的重要表现。

The formulation of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture has further enriched and developed the theoretical system of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The meaning of "culture" in Xi Jinping Thought on Culture requires special attention; it is prominently linked to propaganda and ideological work. Since the New Era, our Party has convened three national-level working conferences on the propaganda front. Among them, the conferences in 2013 and 2018 were called "conferences on propaganda and ideological work," while in 2023 the term "culture" was added, and it was called the "conference on propaganda, ideological, and cultural work," which is highly significant. It was precisely at this conference that our Party explicitly formulated Xi Jinping Thought on Culture. Culture is a foundational and penetrating element in the Party's innovative theoretical system in the New Era; the "Ten Clarifications," the "Fourteen Perseverances," the "Thirteen Areas of Achievement," the "Two Integrations," and the "Six Imperatives" all contain and embed this element. For example, among the "Ten Clarifications," it is clearly stated that the overall layout of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the "Five-Sphere Integrated Plan," which includes cultural development; among the "Fourteen Perseverances," it includes upholding the core socialist value system; among the "Thirteen Areas of Achievement," there are historic achievements in cultural development; among the "Two Integrations," the "Second Integration" is the integration of the basic tenets of Marxism with China's fine traditional culture; among the "Six Imperatives," the imperative to maintain confidence in our own path and self-reliance contains the content of firm cultural confidence. It can be said that the formulation of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture is not only a manifestation of the Party's cultural theory maturing day by day in the New Era, but also undoubtedly promotes the overall development and improvement of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era from all aspects. Society is an organism composed of various parts, and culture is an extremely important component of this organism with special functions. It is both the adhesive that maintains social unity and harmony, possessing cohesive force, and the catalyst that drives social development and progress, possessing guiding force. The guiding ideologies needed for various fields of national governance are coordinated and exert force in the same direction, and the formulation of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture will inevitably provide new opportunities and new nourishment for the development of Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military, Xi Jinping's Economic Thought, Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, and Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law.

提出习近平文化思想，进一步丰富和发展了习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的理论体系。习近平文化思想中“文化”的含义需要特别注意，它突出地与宣传思想工作相关联。新时代以来，我们党召开了三次宣传战线的全国性工作会议。其中，2013年和2018年的会议称为“宣传思想工作会议”，2023年则增加了“文化”二字，称为“宣传思想文化工作会议”，这很有深意。正是在这次会议上，我们党明确提出习近平文化思想。文化在新时代党的创新理论体系中是具有基础性、渗透力的要素，“十个明确”“十四个坚持”“十三个方面成就”“两个结合”“六个必须坚持”等无不蕴含和镶嵌着这一要素。比如，在“十个明确”中，就明确中国特色社会主义事业总体布局是包括文化建设在内的“五位一体”；在“十四个坚持”中，就包括坚持社会主义核心价值体系；在“十三个方面成就”中，就有在文化建设上取得的历史性成就；在“两个结合”中，“第二个结合”就是把马克思主义基本原理同中华优秀传统文化相结合；在“六个必须坚持”中，必须坚持自信自立就蕴含坚定文化自信的内容。可以说，提出习近平文化思想，既是新时代党的文化理论日臻成熟的表现，同时也毫无疑义地从各个方面促进了习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的整体发展和完善。社会是一个由各方面构成的有机体，文化是这个有机体中极为重要的、具有特殊功能的组成部分。它既是维系社会团结和谐的黏合剂，具有凝聚力；也是推动社会发展进步的催化剂，具有引领力。治国理政所需的各领域的指导思想是统筹协调、同向发力的，而习近平文化思想的提出必然为习近平强军思想、习近平经济思想、习近平生态文明思想、习近平外交思想、习近平法治思想的发展提供新的契机、新的滋养。

The systematization of Xi Jinping’s cultural thought is a reflection and manifestation of the comprehensive, systematic development of cultural construction in the New Era. Theoretical characteristics are a refraction of practical characteristics. The more comprehensive and mature the practice, the more complete and systematic the corresponding theory becomes. The theoretical logic inherent in the Party’s innovative theories is built on the foundation of practical logic, which differs from so-called pure theories that achieve logical self-consistency through abstract contemplation divorced from practical foundations. As for Xi Jinping’s cultural thought, it serves as a scientific guide for cultural construction in the New Era, but it is first and foremost a profound summary of the practical experience of cultural construction in the New Era. The comprehensiveness and innovativeness of the practice of cultural construction in the New Era are embodied in the systematicity and profundity of the theory. On the one hand, the practice of cultural construction led by the Party in the New Era is comprehensive. From the perspective of practical work, it covers all fields under the purview of the Party’s propaganda departments, including theoretical research, news and publishing, literary and artistic creation, ideological and political education, and the development of cultural undertakings. Although the functional departments in these fields have different responsibilities, they work in coordination under the Party’s leadership, forming a vast work system. This systematicity in practical work thus becomes an important foundation for the systematicity of Xi Jinping’s cultural thought. On the other hand, adhering to a systems concept is an important component of the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and is a crucial ideological and working method for the New Era. Xi Jinping particularly emphasizes the word “system” when guiding work in various areas, always requiring the observation of things and the resolution of problems from the perspective of universal connections, comprehensive systems, and developmental change. Xi Jinping views cultural construction in the New Era from the overall situation of national governance, and in turn views practical work in various aspects and fields from the overall situation of cultural construction in the New Era, systematically and scientifically answering the fundamental questions of what kind of socialist cultural power to build and how to build a socialist cultural power. To some extent, it can be said that the systematization of Xi Jinping’s cultural thought is the crystallization of wisdom achieved by applying a systems concept to summarizing the practical experience of cultural construction in the New Era.

习近平文化思想的体系化是新时代文化建设全面性、系统性发展的体现和反映。理论特性是实践特性的折射。实践越全面、越成熟，理论相应地就越完备、越系统。党的创新理论所蕴含的理论逻辑是建立在实践逻辑的基础上的，这与那些脱离实践基础、通过冥思苦想而达到逻辑自洽的所谓纯理论是不一样的。就习近平文化思想而言，它是新时代文化建设的科学指南，但首先是新时代文化建设实践经验的深刻总结。新时代文化建设实践的全面性、创新性，体现为理论上的系统性和深刻性。一方面，党领导的新时代文化建设实践是全面的。从实际工作角度来看，它涵盖党的宣传部门所主管的理论研究、新闻出版、文艺创作、思想政治教育、文化事业发展等一切领域。这些领域的工作部门虽然职能各异，但都是在党的领导下协同工作，构成了一个庞大的工作系统。这种实际工作中的系统性，就成为习近平文化思想的系统性的重要基础。另一方面，必须坚持系统观念是习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的世界观和方法论的重要内容，是新时代重要的思想方法和工作方法。习近平在指导各方面工作时都特别强调“系统”二字，总是要求用普遍联系的、全面系统的、发展变化的观点观察事物、解决问题。习近平从治国理政的大局看新时代文化建设，又从新时代文化建设的大局看各方面、各领域的实际工作，系统地也是科学地回答了建设什么样的社会主义文化强国、怎样建设社会主义文化强国的基本问题。从某种程度上可以说，习近平文化思想的体系化是运用系统观念总结新时代文化建设实践经验的智慧结晶。

II. The Diachronic Development of the Systematization of Xi Jinping’s Cultural Thought

二、习近平文化思想体系化的历时性发展

The systematization of a theory is a process. The formation of a theoretical system always proceeds from individual viewpoints to numerous viewpoints, from the basic construction of the four beams and eight pillars [2]2 The Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC was held in November 2021 and adopted a landmark resolution on the Party’s major achievements and historical experience over the past century. to the complete refinement of a flourishing system. The formation and development of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is a continuous process of systematization, which, after a series of major propositions were successively put forward and multiple systematic summaries and generalizations were made, finally took shape as a complete theoretical form. Similarly, the formation and development of Xi Jinping’s cultural thought is also a continuous process of systematization. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC [3]3 The “summary of achievements in thirteen areas” refers to the resolution of the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee, which enumerated historic achievements in thirteen fields, including culture., Xi Jinping has, on the

理论的体系化是一个过程。理论体系的形成，总是由个别观点到诸多观点，由四梁八柱的基本构建到枝繁叶茂的系统完善。习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的形成和发展是一个不断体系化的过程，经过一系列重大论断的相继提出，并多次进行系统性的概括总结，才形成完备的理论形态。同样，习近平文化思想的形成和发展也是一个不断体系化的过程。党的十八大以来，习近平一方面在文化理论观点上取得一系列重要创新和突破，另一方面在文化工作布局上提出一系列重要部署和要求，使我们党明确了新时代文化建设的路线图和任务书，对中国特色社会主义文化建设规律的认识达到了新高度。习近平文化思想从开局发轫到系统概括，经过了以下几个标志性的阶段。

Comprehensive Launch: The National Conference on Propaganda and Ideological Work in August 2013. For cultural work in a given period, each convening of the National Conference on Propaganda and Ideological Work has comprehensive and guiding significance. The National Conference on Propaganda and Ideological Work in August 2013 was the first such meeting convened after Xi Jinping assumed the position of General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee. At this conference, Xi Jinping delivered a profound exposition on propaganda and ideological work, putting forward important judgments such as “economic construction is the Party’s central task, and ideological work is an extremely important task for the Party,” “propaganda and ideological work must consolidate the guiding position of Marxism in the ideological domain and consolidate the common ideological foundation for the united struggle of the entire Party and the people of the whole country,” and “Party spirit and people’s nature have always been consistent and unified.” He also proposed the important policy of “persisting in unity, stability, encouragement, and focusing on positive publicity,” the important task of “guiding people to understand contemporary China and view the external world more comprehensively and objectively,” and specific work requirements such as “must take responsibility for the territory, be accountable for the territory, and fulfill the duty for the territory” and “the entire Party must take action.” This conference marked the beginning of the formation of Xi Jinping’s Thought on Culture, and the series of important viewpoints set forth at this meeting to clarify fundamentals and correct deviations played a guiding role in cultural construction in the New Era.

全面开局：2013年8月全国宣传思想工作会议。对于一个时期的文化工作而言，每次全国宣传思想工作会议的召开都具有全面的、引领性的指导意义。2013年8月的全国宣传思想工作会议，是习近平担任中共中央总书记后第一次召开的此类会议。在这次会议上，习近平对宣传思想工作作了深刻的阐述，提出了“经济建设是党的中心工作，意识形态工作是党的一项极端重要的工作”，“宣传思想工作就是要巩固马克思主义在意识形态领域的指导地位，巩固全党全国人民团结奋斗的共同思想基础”，“党性和人民性从来都是一致的、统一的”等重要论断，还提出了“坚持团结稳定鼓劲、正面宣传为主”的重要方针，“引导人们更加全面客观地认识当代中国、看待外部世界”的重要任务，以及“必须守土有责、守土负责、守土尽责”，“必须全党动手”的具体工作要求。这次会议是习近平文化思想形成的开端，会上提出的一系列正本清源的重要观点对新时代文化建设具有指引性的作用。

First Summary: The National Conference on Propaganda and Ideological Work in August 2018. This was a national conference on propaganda and ideological work convened by the Party Central Committee after the 19th National Congress of the CPC proposed Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. After more than five years of practice in the New Era, this conference comprehensively summarized the historic achievements and historic transformations of the Party’s propaganda and ideological work and profoundly expounded the missions and tasks of the Party’s propaganda and ideological work under the new circumstances. In particular, the “Nine Persistences” summarized at this conference, namely, “persisting in the Party’s leadership over ideological work, persisting in the fundamental task of the ‘two consolidations’ [2]2 The Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC was held in November 2021 and adopted a landmark resolution on the Party’s major achievements and historical experience over the past century. in ideological work, persisting in arming the entire Party and educating the people with Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, persisting in cultivating and practicing the core socialist values, persisting in cultural confidence as a more fundamental, broader, and deeper confidence, a more basic, deeper, and more enduring force, persisting in enhancing the communication power, guidance power, influence, and credibility of news and public opinion, persisting in a people-centered creative orientation, persisting in creating a clean and upright cyberspace, and persisting in telling China’s stories well and spreading China’s voice well,” represent the regular understanding of propaganda and ideological work in the New Era. Xi Jinping pointed out: “These important thoughts are the fundamental guidelines for doing a good job in propaganda and ideological work and must be adhered to for a long time and continuously developed.” This was the first relatively systematic presentation of the main content and basic contours of Xi Jinping’s Thought on Culture, becoming an important milestone in the development of Xi Jinping’s Thought on Culture.

首次概括：2018年8月全国宣传思想工作会议。这是自党的十九大提出习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想之后，党中央召开的一次关于宣传思想工作的全国性会议。经过新时代五年多的实践，这次会议全面总结了党的宣传思想工作的历史性成就和历史性变革，深刻阐述了新形势下党的宣传思想工作的使命任务。尤其是这次会议总结的“九个坚持”，即“坚持党对意识形态工作的领导权，坚持思想工作‘两个巩固’的根本任务，坚持用新时代中国特色社会主义思想武装全党、教育人民，坚持培育和践行社会主义核心价值观，坚持文化自信是更基础、更广泛、更深厚的自信，是更基本、更深沉、更持久的力量，坚持提高新闻舆论传播力、引导力、影响力、公信力，坚持以人民为中心的创作导向，坚持营造风清气正的网络空间，坚持讲好中国故事、传播好中国声音”，是新时代对宣传思想工作的规律性认识。习近平指出：“这些重要思想，是做好宣传思想工作的根本遵循，必须长期坚持、不断发展。”这是第一次比较系统地展现习近平文化思想的主要内容和基本轮廓，成为习近平文化思想发展的重要阶段性标志。

The Greatest Magic Weapon: The Explicit Proposal of the “Two Integrations” in July 2021. Integrating the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the fine traditional Chinese culture is “the regular understanding we have derived from exploring the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics” and “the greatest magic weapon for our success.” The “Two Integrations” represent a major theoretical innovation, playing an extremely important role in promoting the formation and development of Xi Jinping Thought

最大法宝：2021年7月明确提出“两个结合”。把马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合、同中华优秀传统文化相结合，是“我们在探索中国特色社会主义道路中得出的规律性认识”，“是我们取得成功的最大法宝”。“两个结合”是重大的理论创新，在推动习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想形成和发展的过程中起到了极其重要的作用。2021年7月，习近平在庆祝中国共产党成立100周年大会上明确提出“两个结合”，强调“坚持把马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合、同中华优秀传统文化相结合，用马克思主义观察时代、把握时代、引领时代，继续发展当代中国马克思主义、21世纪马克思主义”。2023年6月，习近平在文化传承发展座谈会上进一步系统阐述了“两个结合”的深刻内涵，提出“‘结合’的前提是彼此契合”，“‘结合’的结果是互相成就”，“‘结合’筑牢了道路根基”，“‘结合’打开了创新空间”，“‘结合’巩固了文化主体性”等一系列重大论断，彰显了我们党推进理论创新的高度自觉，标志着我们党对文化建设的规律性认识实现了深层次的突破。

Summary of achievements: The Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC in November 2021. [2]2 The Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC was held in November 2021 and adopted a landmark resolution on the Party’s major achievements and historical experience over the past century. The Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee proposed “advancing institutional innovation in culture” and deployed a comprehensive deepening of reform in the cultural sphere; the 19th National Congress proposed “strengthening cultural confidence and promoting the flourishing of socialist culture”; the Fourth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee proposed “upholding and improving the system for developing advanced socialist culture and consolidating the common ideological foundation for the united struggle of all the people”; the Fifth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee set the goal of “building a culturally strong country” by 2035. The Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee, with its “summary of achievements in thirteen areas,” [3]3 The “summary of achievements in thirteen areas” refers to the resolution of the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee, which enumerated historic achievements in thirteen fields, including culture. highly encapsulated the historic achievements and historic changes in the cause of the Party and the state in the New Era, including a panoramic summary of achievements in cultural construction from theory to practice: “Since the 18th National Congress, the situation in our country’s ideological sphere has undergone a comprehensive and fundamental transformation. The cultural confidence of the entire Party and the people of all ethnic groups across the country has markedly increased, and social cohesion and centripetal force have been greatly enhanced, providing a strong ideological guarantee and powerful spiritual force for the Party and the state to open up new horizons in their cause in the New Era.”

成就总结：2021年11月党的十九届六中全会。党的十八届三中全会提出“推进文化体制机制创新”，部署文化领域的全面深化改革；党的十九大提出“坚定文化自信，推动社会主义文化繁荣兴盛”；党的十九届四中全会提出“坚持和完善繁荣发展社会主义先进文化的制度，巩固全体人民团结奋斗的共同思想基础”；党的十九届五中全会明确了到2035年“建成文化强国”。党的十九届六中全会以“十三个方面成就”高度概括了新时代党和国家事业取得的历史性成就、发生的历史性变革，其中对文化建设的成就进行了从理论到实践的全景式总结：“党的十八大以来，我国意识形态领域形势发生全局性、根本性转变，全党全国各族人民文化自信明显增强，全社会凝聚力和向心力极大提升，为新时代开创党和国家事业新局面提供了坚强思想保证和强大精神力量。”

Explicit formulation: The National Conference on Propaganda, Ideology, and Cultural Work in October 2023. [4]4 The National Conference on Propaganda, Ideology, and Cultural Work was held in October 2023. Its name was changed from previous “National Conference on Propaganda and Ideology Work” to include “cultural work,” signaling the formal elevation Compared with previous similar conferences, this meeting was named the “National Conference on Propaganda, Ideology, and Cultural Work,” with the addition of the word “cultural.” The conference conveyed Xi Jinping’s important instructions on propaganda, ideology, and cultural work, requiring “efforts to strengthen the Party’s leadership over propaganda, ideology, and cultural work; efforts to build a socialist ideology with strong cohesion and guiding force; efforts to cultivate and practice the core socialist values; efforts to enhance the communication, guidance, influence, and credibility of news and public opinion; efforts to continue the Chinese cultural lineage and promote the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture; efforts to promote the flourishing of cultural undertakings and cultural industries; and efforts to strengthen the building of international communication capacity and promote exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations.” The conference held that “General Secretary Xi Jinping’s new ideas, new viewpoints, and new judgments on cultural construction in the New Era are extremely rich in content and profound in exposition. They are the theoretical summary of the Party’s practical experience in leading cultural construction in the New Era, enriching and developing Marxist cultural theory, forming the cultural chapter of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and giving rise to Xi Jinping’s Cultural Thought.” Thus, the concept of “Xi Jinping’s Cultural Thought” was explicitly formulated.

明确提出：2023年10月全国宣传思想文化工作会议。相较于以往的同类会议，这次会议的名称定为“全国宣传思想文化工作会议”，增加了“文化”二字。会议传达了习近平对宣传思想文化工作作出的重要指示，要求“着力加强党对宣传思想文化工作的领导，着力建设具有强大凝聚力和引领力的社会主义意识形态，着力培育和践行社会主义核心价值观，着力提升新闻舆论传播力引导力影响力公信力，着力赓续中华文脉、推动中华优秀传统文化创造性转化和创新性发展，着力推动文化事业和文化产业繁荣发展，着力加强国际传播能力建设、促进文明交流互鉴”。这次会议认为，“习近平总书记在新时代文化建设方面的新思想新观点新论断，内涵十分丰富、论述极为深刻，是新时代党领导文化建设实践经验的理论总结，丰富和发展了马克思主义文化理论，构成了习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的文化篇，形成了习近平文化思想”。由此，“习近平文化思想”的概念明确提出。

The formation and development of Xi Jinping’s Cultural Thought has gone through a process of more than a decade, from 2012 to 2023. This includes both the authoritative judgments on the regular patterns of socialist cultural construction with Chinese characteristics at the 19th and 20th National Congresses, and the theoretical summaries of practical experience in cultural construction in the New Era at the 2013 and 2018 National Conferences on Propaganda, Ideology, and Cultural Work and the 2023 National Conference on Propaganda, Ideology, and Cultural Work, as well as systematic expositions on specific fields such as literature and art, news and public opinion, philosophy and social sciences, and cybersecurity and informatization at various thematic work conferences. For example, in March 2014, Xi Jinping comprehensively expounded the basic propositions for promoting exchanges and mutual learning among human civilizations in a speech at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France; in October 2014, at the Forum on Literature and Art Work, he comprehensively expounded a series of fundamental and directional issues concerning the flourishing and development of our country’s literature and art; in February 2016, at the Forum on the Party’s News and Public Opinion Work, he comprehensively expounded the major policies and guidelines for the Party’s news and public opinion work; in May 2016, at the Forum on Philosophy and Social Sciences Work, he comprehensively expounded the major issues of accelerating the construction of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics; in April 2018, at the National Conference on Cybersecurity and Informatization Work, he comprehensively expounded a series of major theoretical and practical issues concerning independent innovation to advance the building of a cyber power; in May 2021, during the 30th collective study session of the Political Bureau of the 19th Central Committee, he comprehensively expounded the major issues of accelerating the construction of Chinese discourse and Chinese narrative systems and strengthening our country’s international communication capacity; in April 2022, during an inspection at Renmin University of China, he focused on raising the major issue of constructing an independent knowledge system for China; in May 2022, during the 39th collective study session of the Political Bureau of the 19th Central Committee, he profoundly expounded the major issues of deepening research into the history of Chinese civilization and promoting the entire Party and society to enhance historical consciousness and strengthen cultural confidence; and so on. These important expositions on socialist cultural construction are rich in content and profound in implication. Through diachronic development, they have converged to form the broad and profound theoretical system of Xi Jinping’s Cultural Thought.

习近平文化思想的形成和发展，经历了从2012年到2023年十多年的历程。这其中既有党的十九大和二十大关于中国特色社会主义文化建设规律性认识的权威论断，也有2013年、2018年全国宣传思想工作会议和2023年全国宣传思想文化工作会议对新时代文化建设实践经验的理论总结，还有各种专题工作会议对文艺、新闻舆论、哲学社会科学、网络安全和信息化等各个具体领域工作的系统阐述。比如，2014年3月，习近平在法国巴黎联合国教科文组织总部的演讲中全面阐述了推动人类文明交流互鉴的基本主张；2014年10月，在文艺工作座谈会上全面阐述了事关我国文艺繁荣发展的一系列根本性、方向性问题；2016年2月，在党的新闻舆论工作座谈会上全面阐述了党的新闻舆论工作的重大方针政策；2016年5月，在哲学社会科学工作座谈会上全面阐述了加快构建中国特色哲学社会科学的重大问题；2018年4月，在全国网络安全和信息化工作会议上全面阐述了自主创新推进网络强国建设的一系列重大理论和实践问题；2021年5月，在十九届中央政治局第三十次集体学习时全面阐述了加快构建中国话语和中国叙事体系，加强我国国际传播能力建设的重大问题；2022年4月，在中国人民大学考察时重点提出了建构中国自主的知识体系的重大问题；2022年5月，在十九届中央政治局第三十九次集体学习时深刻阐述了把中国文明历史研究引向深入，推动全党全社会增强历史自觉、坚定文化自信的重大问题；等等。这些关于社会主义文化建设的重要论述，内容丰富、内涵深刻，通过历时性发展，汇集形成了习近平文化思想博大精深的理论体系。

III. Synchronic Summarization of the Systematization of Xi Jinping’s Cultural Thought

三、习近平文化思想体系化的共时性概括

Regarding the basic content of Xi Jinping’s Cultural Thought, there have been multiple phased summaries and generalizations since the 18th National Congress. For example, the “Nine Persistences” proposed at the August 2018 National Conference on Propaganda, Ideology, and Cultural Work; the “Fourteen Emphases” on cultural construction clarified at the June 2023 Forum on Cultural Heritage and Development; and the “Seven Efforts” proposed at the October 2023 National Conference on Propaganda, Ideology, and Cultural Work. It is precisely on the basis of these phased summaries and generalizations that our Party explicitly formulated the concept of “Xi Jinping’s Cultural Thought,” making a scientific and concise summary of Xi Jinping’s new ideas, new viewpoints, and new judgments on cultural construction in the New Era. As a scientific theoretical system, Xi Jinping’s Cultural Thought has a clear theme, rich content, complete structure, smooth logic, and effective practice. It profoundly answers fundamental questions such as what banner to hold, what path to follow, what principles to uphold, and what goals to achieve in cultural construction in the New Era, and systematically addresses the major issue of what kind of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics to uphold and develop in the New Era and how to uphold and develop it.

关于习近平文化思想的基本内容，党的十八大以来经历过多个阶段性的总结概括。比如，2018年8月全国宣传思想工作会议提出的“九个坚持”，2023年6月文化传承发展座谈会上明确的文化建设方面的“十四个强调”，2023年10月全国宣传思想文化工作会议提出的“七个着力”等。正是在这些阶段性的总结概括的基础上，我们党明确提出了“习近平文化思想”的概念，对习近平在新时代文化建设方面的新思想新观点新论断作出了科学而凝练的概括。作为一个科学理论体系，习近平文化思想主题鲜明、内容丰富、结构完整、逻辑畅通、实践有效，深刻回答了新时代文化建设举什么旗、走什么路、坚持什么原则、实现什么目标等根本问题，系统回答了新时代坚持和发展什么样的中国特色社会主义文化、怎样坚持和发展中国特色社会主义文化的重大课题。

In terms of theory, the innovations and breakthroughs achieved by Xi Jinping’s Cultural Thought mainly include: upholding the Party’s leadership over culture; promoting the coordinated development of material civilization and cultural-ethical progress; practicing the fundamental requirement of the “Two Integrations”; [5]5 The 18th National Congress of the CPC was held in 2012, marking the beginning of the New Era under Xi Jinping’s leadership. shouldering the new cultural mission; strengthening cultural confidence; cultivating and practicing the core socialist values; mastering the dominant role of public opinion under conditions of informatization and broadly凝聚 social consensus; adhering to a people-centered work orientation; protecting historical and cultural heritage; constructing Chinese discourse and Chinese narrative systems; and promoting exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. The important expositions on these issues constitute the four beams and eight pillars [6]6 “New journey of the New Era” refers to the period after the 20th National Congress of the CPC (2022), during which the Party leads the people in striving for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. of Xi Jinping’s Cultural Thought, supporting this magnificent theoretical edifice.

在理论方面，习近平文化思想所取得的创新和突破主要包括：坚持党的文化领导权、推动物质文明和精神文明协调发展、践行“两个结合”的根本要求、担负新的文化使命、坚定文化自信、培育和践行社会主义核心价值观、掌握信息化条件下舆论主导权和广泛凝聚社会共识、以人民为中心的工作导向、保护历史文化遗产、构建中国话语和中国叙事体系、促进文明交流互鉴等。关于这些问题的重要论述，构成习近平文化思想的四梁八柱，支撑起这座宏伟的理论大厦。

In terms of practice, the deployments and requirements put forward by Xi Jinping’s Cultural Thought for the layout of cultural work in the New Era mainly include: improving the work system for arming the entire Party, educating the people, and guiding practice with the Party’s innovative theories; fully implementing the responsibility system for ideological work; promoting the normalization and institutionalization of ideal and belief education; integrating the core socialist values into the rule of law, social development, and daily life; accelerating the construction of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics; accelerating the construction of an all-media communication pattern that is integrated and unified; improving the comprehensive governance system for the internet; making the creation and production of excellent works the central link in literary and art work; deepening the reform of the cultural system; strengthening the excavation and elucidation of fine traditional Chinese culture; actively promoting the utilization of cultural relics and the protection and inheritance of cultural heritage; strengthening the building of international communication capacity; promoting Chinese culture to better reach the world; and striving to build a propaganda, ideology, and cultural work team that is politically reliable, highly competent, realistic and innovative, and capable of winning battles. These important deployments clarify the mission and tasks of cultural construction in the New Era and provide comprehensive guidance for advancing the building of a socialist cultural power.

在实践方面，习近平文化思想对新时代文化工作布局所提出的部署和要求主要包括：健全用党的创新理论武装全党、教育人民、指导实践工作体系，全面落实意识形态工作责任制，推动理想信念教育常态化制度化，把社会主义核心价值观融入法治建设、融入社会发展、融入日常生活，加快构建中国特色哲学社会科学，加快构建融为一体、合而为一的全媒体传播格局，健全网络综合治理体系，把创作生产优秀作品作为文艺工作的中心环节，深化文化体制改革，加强对中华优秀传统文化的挖掘和阐发，积极推进文物保护利用和文化遗产保护传承，加强国际传播能力建设，推动中华文化更好走向世界，努力打造一支政治过硬、本领高强、求实创新、能打胜仗的宣传思想工作队伍，等等。这些重要部署明确了新时代文化建设的使命任务，为推进社会主义文化强国建设提供了全面指引。

A special explanation must be given here regarding the “substance” (ti) and “function” (y

这里要特别说明一下习近平文化思想的“体”“用”问题。明体达用、体用贯通，是习近平文化思想的鲜明特征。“体”是原则、规律，指的是总体性、战略性的方面；“用”是实践、方法，指的是实操性、功效性的方面。当然，“体”和“用”既是可以总体区分的，又是很难精确区分的。作为体系中的一对概念，本身就是相互关联、相互依存的。在习近平文化思想中，如果说文化理论观点上的创新和突破为“体”，文化工作布局上的部署要求为“用”，那么这一思想就是理论和实践的统一，是在实践基础上进行理论创新，又反过来用创新理论去指导实践，也就是明体达用、体用贯通。

Xi Jinping’s Thought on Culture, as a scientific theoretical system, is an organic unity of its main content and the worldview and methodology contained within it. It encompasses both profound viewpoints and scientific deployments, as well as correct positions and effective methods. Worldview and methodology are the deeper-level elements of a theoretical system, the ideological essence of that system, and the fundamental basis for its logical self-consistency. The “Six Musts” [5]5 The 18th National Congress of the CPC was held in 2012, marking the beginning of the New Era under Xi Jinping’s leadership. constitute the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and are also the positions, viewpoints, and methods that run through Xi Jinping’s Thought on Culture. Meanwhile, what Xi Jinping emphasized at the Symposium on Cultural Heritage and Development—firmly strengthening cultural confidence, upholding openness and inclusiveness, and persisting in upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground—is the fundamental guidance for our Party to better shoulder its new cultural mission.

习近平文化思想作为一个科学理论体系，是主要内容与蕴含其中的世界观和方法论的有机统一，既有深邃的观点、科学的部署，也有正确的立场、有效的方法。世界观和方法论是理论体系中深层次的东西，是理论体系的思想精华，是其逻辑自洽的根本依据。“六个必须坚持”是习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的世界观和方法论，也是贯穿习近平文化思想的立场观点方法；而习近平在文化传承发展座谈会上强调的坚定文化自信、秉持开放包容、坚持守正创新，则是我们党更好担负起新的文化使命的根本遵循。

Xi Jinping’s Thought on Culture is a continuously unfolding, open-ended scientific system that will inevitably be enriched and developed as practice deepens. Xi Jinping’s Thought on Culture has evolved through a process of development; the current theoretical system formed is both the result of theoretical development and a marker of theoretical maturity. At the same time, it must be recognized that any existing system is a stage within the process of systematization; it is neither closed nor stagnant. We must both recognize that Xi Jinping’s Thought on Culture is already a relatively complete scientific theoretical system and also see that this thought still needs to be further enriched and perfected in various aspects, thereby continuing to advance the systematization of this thought, continuously deepening theoretical research and interpretation, and achieving a higher level of theoretical innovation by the Party in cultural work.

习近平文化思想是一个不断展开的、开放式的科学体系，必将随着实践的深入而不断丰富和发展。习近平文化思想是不断发展而来的，当前形成的理论体系就是理论发展的结果，也是理论成熟的标志。同时要看到，任何既有的体系都是体系化进程中的一个阶段，它不是封闭的，也不是停滞的。我们既要看到习近平文化思想已经是一个比较完备的科学理论体系，同时也要看到这一思想还需要从各方面进一步丰富和完善，从而继续推进这一思想的体系化，不断深化理论研究阐释，实现党在文化工作方面的更高水平的理论创新。

IV. A Systematic Grasp of the Major Significance of Xi Jinping’s Thought on Culture

四、习近平文化思想重大意义的体系化把握

What is called “significance” is essentially a “relationship.” The special significance of a theory is revealed through its comparison with others. Viewing a small system from the perspective of a large system, viewing the present from the perspective of grand history, and viewing theory from the perspective of practice are the key points for systematically grasping the major significance of Xi Jinping’s Thought on Culture.

所谓“意义”，实质上是一个“关系”。一个理论的特殊意义是通过其与他者的比较而呈现的。从大体系中看小体系，从大历史中看当下，从实践中看理论，是体系化把握习近平文化思想重大意义的要点。

First, the “Cultural Chapter”: Xi Jinping’s Thought on Culture is the cultural chapter of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. This is to assess the part within the whole. Xi Jinping’s Thought on Culture, together with Xi Jinping’s Thought on Strengthening the Military, Xi Jinping’s Economic Thought, Xi Jinping’s Thought on Ecological Civilization, Xi Jinping’s Diplomatic Thought, and Xi Jinping’s Thought on the Rule of Law, are all components of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The explicit formulation of Xi Jinping’s Thought on Culture highlights the important position of cultural theory within the Party’s innovative theory. Naming it “Thought on Culture” places it at a higher rank than naming it “Important Discourses,” making it more prominent and important. Here, it is also worth mentioning the expression “Cultural Chapter,” which is quite meaningful. “Cultural Chapter” has roughly the same meaning as “a component part,” but “Cultural Chapter” more strongly emphasizes an intrinsic, organic, and close relationship between Xi Jinping’s Thought on Culture and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

一是“文化篇”，即习近平文化思想是习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的文化篇。这是将部分置于整体中来衡判。习近平文化思想与习近平强军思想、习近平经济思想、习近平生态文明思想、习近平外交思想、习近平法治思想，都是习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的组成部分。明确提出习近平文化思想，突出了文化理论在党的创新理论中的重要地位。习近平文化思想以“思想”命名，就比以“重要论述”等命名位阶更高，更显得突出和重要。这里还要说一下“文化篇”的说法，这是很意味深长的。“文化篇”与“一部分”有大致相同的意思，但“文化篇”更突出强调了习近平文化思想与习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想之间一种内在的、有机的、紧密的关系。

Second, “Enrichment and Development”: Xi Jinping’s Thought on Culture enriches and develops Marxist cultural theory. This is to assess it within the grand system of Marxism. The key to grasping the major significance of Xi Jinping’s Thought on Culture lies in exploring the innovative contributions it has made in the history of the development of Marxism; the greater the contributions, the greater the significance. There is no

二是“丰富和发展”，即习近平文化思想丰富和发展了马克思主义文化理论。这是将其置于马克思主义的大体系中来衡判。把握习近平文化思想的重大意义，关键在于探讨其在马克思主义发展史上所作的创新性贡献，贡献越多，意义就越大。毋庸置疑，习近平文化思想坚持马克思主义在文化问题上的基本立场观点方法。与此同时，习近平在新时代文化建设方面的新思想新观点新论断极为深刻，比如，强调坚持党的文化领导权的极端重要性，为做好文化工作提供了坚实的政治保证；坚定文化自信，拓展了中国特色社会主义道路的文化根基；坚持“两个结合”，推动了中华优秀传统文化的创造性转化和创新性发展；建构中国自主的知识体系，为守护好中华文化主体性提供了可靠依托；等等。习近平文化思想对马克思主义文化理论作出了诸多原创性贡献，开辟了具有里程碑意义的新境界。

Third, it is a “powerful ideological weapon and scientific guide to action,” meaning that Xi Jinping’s Cultural Thought provides a powerful ideological weapon and scientific guide to action for doing a good job in propaganda, ideological, and cultural work on the new journey of the New Era and for better shouldering the new cultural mission. Whether a theory is correct and how great its contribution is must ultimately be tested by practice. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the reason why propaganda, ideological, and cultural work has been able to achieve historic accomplishments and undergo historic changes is most fundamentally due to the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The current important task is to further deepen reform comprehensively and advance Chinese-path modernization, and building a socialist cultural power is precisely one of the extremely important tasks within this. This requires us to adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping’s Cultural Thought, uphold the fundamental system of Marxism’s guiding position in the ideological domain, improve the institutional mechanisms for the development of cultural undertakings and cultural industries, promote cultural prosperity, enrich the people’s spiritual and cultural life, enhance the country’s cultural soft power and the influence of Chinese culture, and actively display the new atmosphere and new achievements of the New Era.

三是“强大思想武器和科学行动指南”，即习近平文化思想为做好新时代新征程宣传思想文化工作、更好担负起新的文化使命提供了强大思想武器和科学行动指南。理论的正确与否、贡献大小，最终要由实践来检验。党的十八大以来，宣传思想文化工作之所以能够取得历史性成就、发生历史性变革，最根本的就是因为有习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的科学指引。当前的重要任务是进一步全面深化改革、推进中国式现代化，而建设社会主义文化强国正是其中极为重要的工作之一。这就要求我们坚持以习近平文化思想为指导，坚持马克思主义在意识形态领域指导地位的根本制度，健全文化事业、文化产业发展体制机制，推动文化繁荣，丰富人民精神文化生活，提升国家文化软实力和中华文化影响力，积极展现新时代的新气象新作为。

Source: *Marxism & Reality*, Issue 6, 2024

文章来源：《马克思主义与现实》2024年第6期

Online Editor: Jing Mu

网络编辑：静穆