The Scientific Thinking Methods of Xi Jinping’s Cultural Thought

I. Steering the Development Direction of Propaganda, Ideological, and Cultural Work with Far-Sighted Strategic Thinking

一、以高瞻远瞩的战略思维掌舵宣传思想文化工作的发展方向

(1) Strategic Positioning: An Extremely Important Work Involving “Three Matters”

（一）战略定位：一项“三个事关”的极端重要的工作

From the perspective of strategic value, General Secretary Xi Jinping uses the “three matters” to profoundly elucidate the three major strategic values of propaganda, ideological, and cultural work, namely, “it concerns the future and destiny of the Party, it concerns the long-term stability and security of the country, and it concerns the cohesion and centripetal force of the nation.” [1]1 The “three matters” (三个事关) refers to Xi Jinping’s formulation that propaganda, ideological, and cultural work concerns the Party’s future, national stability, and national cohesion. This important assertion fully emphasizes the major strategic significance of propaganda, ideological, and cultural work for the Party, the country, and the nation, reflecting its high-level strategic positioning. A high-level strategic positioning requires that workers in propaganda, ideological, and cultural work bear in mind the “great affairs of the state,” [2]2 “Great affairs of the state” (国之大者) is a Party term referring to the most significant matters concerning the nation’s fundamental interests and long-term development. fulfill the duties of “being responsible for one’s post, accountable for one’s post, and doing one’s utmost in one’s post,” and adhere to a high-level mission stance of being responsible and accountable to the Party, the country, and the nation in carrying out propaganda, ideological, and cultural work.

从战略价值角度看，习近平总书记用“三个事关”深刻阐明了宣传思想文化工作的三大战略价值，即“事关党的前途命运，事关国家长治久安，事关民族凝聚力和向心力”。这一重要论断充分强调了宣传思想文化工作对党、国家、民族层面的重大战略意义，体现了宣传思想文化工作高层次的战略定位。高层次的战略定位，要求宣传思想文化工作者能够心怀“国之大者”，做到“守土有责、守土负责、守土尽责”，坚持以对党、国家、民族负责尽责的高层次使命站位来开展宣传思想文化工作。

(2) Strategic Mission: Continuing to Promote Cultural Prosperity, Build a Strong Cultural Country, and Build the Modern Civilization of the Chinese Nation

（二）战略使命：继续推动文化繁荣、建设文化强国、建设中华民族现代文明

Propaganda, ideological, and cultural work is an important task that carries “heavy responsibilities and a glorious mission.” To do a good job in the Party’s propaganda, ideological, and cultural work in the New Era, it is necessary both to have an awareness of mission guiding the work and to clarify which mission guides the work. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping, centering on the general mission outline of national rejuvenation and according to the changes of the times and the requirements of development, has formulated a series of strategic missions and tasks for propaganda, ideological, and cultural work in a timely manner, gradually turning the vision of building a strong cultural country into reality. From the “two consolidations” of “consolidating the guiding position of Marxism in the ideological field and consolidating the common ideological foundation for the united struggle of the entire Party and the people of the whole country,” to the “five major tasks” of “holding high the banner, gathering the people’s hearts, cultivating new generations, promoting culture, and displaying the image,” and then to “continuing to promote cultural prosperity, build a strong cultural country, and build the modern civilization of the Chinese nation at the new historical starting point,” the Party’s and the state’s propaganda, ideological, and cultural work has both consolidated, developed, and improved in the correct direction under the guidance of the mission-oriented role and continuously moved toward higher goal pursuits driven by the motivating role of the mission.

宣传思想文化工作，是一项“责任重大，使命光荣”的重要工作。做好新时代党的宣传思想文化工作，既要有使命引领工作的意识，又要明确以何使命引领工作。党的十八大以来，习近平总书记围绕民族复兴这一总的使命大纲，根据时代变化和发展要求，因时制宜地制定了宣传思想文化工作的系列战略使命和任务，使文化强国的建设愿景一步步变为现实。从“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”的“两个巩固”，到“举旗帜、聚民心、育新人、兴文化、展形象”的“五大任务”，再到“在新的历史起点上继续推动文化繁荣、建设文化强国、建设中华民族现代文明”，党和国家的宣传思想文化工作既在使命导向作用的引领中朝着正确的方向巩固、发展和提高，又在使命激励作用的驱动下不断迈向更高的目标追求。

(3) Strategic Deployment: Clarifying the Focal Points of Propaganda, Ideological, and Cultural Work on the New Journey of the New Era with the “Seven Efforts”

（三）战略部署：以“七个着力”明确新时代新征程宣传思想文化工作的着力点

Propaganda, ideological, and cultural work is not only an extremely important work involving the “three matters” but also a long-term, complex, and arduous systemic project. To do a good job in propaganda, ideological, and cultural work on the new journey of the New Era, it is necessary to improve top-level design, strengthen overall planning, grasp the integrity of the overall work situation, focus on the pertinence of specific work, enhance the synergy of work implementation, and thus make scientific strategic deployments. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping has gradually constructed and continuously improved the all-round layout of the Party’s and the state’s propaganda, ideological, and cultural work, from the strategic blueprint of laying foundations and setting up frameworks to the specific deployment of comprehensive coverage and coordinated promotion. In October 2023, General Secretary Xi Jinping put forward the latest requirements of the “seven efforts,” [3]3 The “seven efforts” (七个着力) are seven focal points for propaganda, ideological, and cultural work announced by Xi Jinping in October 2023, covering Party leadership, ideology, core socialist values, news and public opinion, traditional culture, cultural industries, and international communication. covering seven core aspects: Party leadership, ideology, core socialist values, news and public opinion, traditional culture, cultural industries and undertakings, and international communication, pointing out the main direction for the high-quality development of propaganda, ideological, and cultural work.

宣传思想文化工作既是一项“三个事关”的极端重要的工作，也是一项长期、复杂、艰巨的系统工程。做好新时代新征程上的宣传思想文化工作，必须完善顶层设计，加强统筹规划，把握工作全局的整体性、注重具体工作的针对性、提升工作开展的协同性，从而作出科学的战略部署。党的十八大以来，习近平总书记从筑基垒台、立柱架梁的战略擘画，到全面覆盖、协同推进的具体部署，逐步构建并不断完善了党和国家宣传思想文化工作的全方位布局。2023年10月，习近平总书记提出“七个着力”的最新要求，涵盖了党的领导、意识形态、核心价值观、新闻舆论、传统文化、文化产业事业、国际传播七大核心方面，为宣传思想文化工作的高质量发展指明了主攻方向。

II. Mastering the Historical Initiative of Propaganda, Ideological, and Cultural Work with Historical Thinking That Learns from the Past to Guide the Future

二、以鉴往知来的历史思维掌握宣传思想文化工作的历史主动

(1) Continuing the Fine Tradition: Upholding the Party’s Centralized and Unified Leadership over Propaganda, Ideological, and Cultural Work

（一）赓续优良传统：坚持党对宣传思想文化工作的集中统一领导

General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasizes that we must be good at “seeing clearly from the Party’s century-long struggle why we were able to succeed in the past and understanding how we can continue to succeed in the future.” [4]4 This is a paraphrase of a key statement from the Party’s 2021 resolution on its centennial history. Looking back at history, the fundamental reason why propaganda, ideological, and cultural work has spanned centuries, achieved brilliant historic accomplishments, and realized a structural change from nothing to something and from weak to strong lies in the strong leadership of the Party. Entering the New Era, facing the new situation of rapid scientific and technological development, profound changes, and increasingly fierce ideological confrontation in the world, as well as the tests of high winds, choppy waters, and even stormy waves that may exist in the future, upholding the Party’s leadership is the greatest certainty, the greatest confidence, and the strongest political guarantee for propaganda, ideological, and cultural work to cope with all uncertainties. Among the “seven efforts” of Xi Jinping’s Cultural Thought, the primary focal point is “strengthening the Party’s leadership over propaganda, ideological, and cultural work.” This is both a continuation of the historical experience and glorious tradition of “the Party managing propaganda, ideology, and culture” and the primary principle and fundamental guarantee for opening up a new situation in propaganda, ideological, and cultural work on the new journey of the New Era.

习近平总书记强调，要善于“从党的百年奋斗中看清楚过去我们为什么能够成功、弄明白未来我们怎样才能继续成功”。回顾历史，宣传思想文化工作之所以能横跨世纪、取得辉煌的历史性成就，之所以能实现从无到有、由弱变强的格局性变化，归根结底在于拥有党的坚强领导。进入新时代，面对科学技术发展日新月异、深刻变革和世界意识形态交锋日益激烈的新形势，面对未来可能存在的风高浪急甚至是惊涛骇浪的考验，坚持党的领导是宣传思想文化工作应对一切不确定性的最大确定性、最大底气和最坚强的政治保证。在习近平文化思想的“七个着力”中，首要的着力点就是“加强党对宣传思想文化工作的领导”。这既是对“党管宣传思想文化”历史经验和光荣传统的赓续，也是新时代新征程开辟宣传思想文化工作新局面的首要遵循和根本保证。

(2) Drawing Historical Wisdom: Promoting the Creative Transformation and Innovative Development of Fine Traditional Chinese Culture

（二）汲取历史智慧：推动中华优秀传统文化创造性转化和创新性发展

General Secretary Xi Jinping points out that our understanding of time “is measured in centuries and millennia.” [5]5 This is a paraphrase of Xi Jinping’s remarks on the long-term perspective of Chinese civilization. Looking at the history of world human civilization, the Chinese nation, with its five-thousand-year civilization, is a nation with a profound “sense of history.” This “sense of history” is manifested in the fact that, amidst the ups and downs and arduous struggles of the long river of history, the Chinese nation has forged a brilliant chapter of its excellent national culture. Fine traditional Chinese culture has timeless and ever-renewing contemporary value and is the source of cultural subjectivity and cultural confidence. Its cultural spirit, cultural concepts, cultural character, and cultural wisdom provide many beneficial inspirations for today’s governance of the country and offer many valuable resources for doing a good job in propaganda, ideological, and cultural work in the New Era. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasizes that we “are not cultural nihilists and cannot forget our ancestors or belittle ourselves.” [6]6 This is a paraphrase of Xi Jinping’s statements rejecting cultural nihilism. To do a good job in propaganda, ideological, and cultural work on the new journey of the New Era, we must strengthen cultural confidence, do a good job in inheritance and transformation, extract energy, draw wisdom, and gain innovative inspiration from fine traditional Chinese culture, continuously enrich and develop Chinese culture, and write a new chapter of glory for Chinese culture in the New Era.

习近平总书记指出，我们对时间的理解“是以百年、千年为计”。放眼世界人类文明史，拥有五千年文明的中华民族是一个具有深厚“历史感”的民族。这种“历史感”表现为，中华民族在漫漫历史长河的跌宕起伏与艰苦奋斗中，铸就了民族优秀文化的璀璨篇章。中华优秀传统文化具有永不褪色、历久弥新的时代价值，是文化主体性和文化自信的源泉所在，其中的文化精神、文化理念、文化品格、文化智慧对当今治国理政提供着诸多有益启示，为做好新时代的宣传思想文化工作提供着诸多宝贵资源。习近平总书记强调，我们“不是文化虚无主义者，不能数典忘祖、妄自菲薄”。做好新时代新征程宣传思想文化工作，必须坚定文化自信，做好传承和转化，从中华优秀传统文化中萃取能量、汲取智慧、获得创新的启迪，不断丰富和发展中华文化，书写新时代中华文化新辉煌。

(3) Cherishing Historical Awe: Resolutely Resisting All Forms of Historical Nihilist Trends

（三）心存历史敬畏：坚决抵制形形色色的历史虚无主义思潮

General Secretary Xi Jinping has a profound cultural sentiment, among which “awe for history” is an important part of his cultural sentiment. The reason for having awe for history is that history is sublime. The importance of history is reflected in the fact that we learn from history to gain experience and draw wisdom; the sublimity of history is manifested in the fact that history cannot be forgotten and is not allowed to be casually commented on or tampered with. However, historical nihilism discards the heart of awe, making a big deal out of nullifying history, ridiculing history, and tampering with history, causing serious harm to the public’s view of history. The key to dealing with historical nihilism lies in having awe for history. We must adhere to taking awe for history as the basic moral code for engaging in propaganda, ideological, and cultural work, guide the public to take a clear stand against historical nihilism, and consciously resist the erosion of historical nihilism. The management departments and managers of propaganda, ideological, and cultural work should also enhance their awe for history and strengthen their sense of responsibility for their work with a sense of awe for history.

习近平总书记有着深厚的文化情怀，其中“敬畏历史”是他文化情怀的重要内容之一。之所以要敬畏历史，是因为历史是崇高的。历史的重要，体现在我们通过历史资鉴经验、汲取智慧；历史的崇高，则表现为历史是不能忘却的，是不容许随意评论和篡改的。然而，历史虚无主义抛却敬畏之心，在虚无历史、戏谑历史、篡改历史上大做文章，对公众的历史观造成严重的危害。应对历史虚无主义的关键就在于敬畏历史，要坚持将敬畏历史作为从事宣传思想文化工作的基本道德操守，引导公众旗帜鲜明反对历史虚无主义，自觉抵制历史虚无主义的侵蚀。宣传思想文化工作的管理部门和管理者也要增强对历史的敬畏，以对历史的敬畏感增强工作的责任感。

III. Forging a Security Defense Line for Propaganda, Ideological, and Cultural Work with Bottom-Line Thinking for Risk Prevention

三、以防范风险的底线思维铸牢宣传思想文化工作的安全防线

(1) Holding the Bottom Line: Propaganda, Ideological, and Cultural Work Leaves No Room for Compromise or Retreat on Ideological Issues

（一）守得住底线：宣传思想文化工作在意识形态问题上没有任何妥协退让的余地

The extremely important status assigned to propaganda, ideological, and cultural work is closely related to its prominent ideological nature. Ideology concerns the banner, the path, and national security. It is a core area where “there is no room for compromise or retreat, and a complete victory must be achieved,” [7]7 This is a paraphrase of Xi Jinping’s statements on the uncompromising nature of ideological work. and it is an important bottom line for propaganda, ideological, and cultural work that cannot be tampered with or challenged. Because once the ideological bottom line is breached, it will inevitably lead to a change of the political banner, which in turn will trigger the collapse of other work defense lines. One of the core reasons for the historical tragedy of the socialist superpower the Soviet Union, where “satellites went up into the sky” but “the red flag fell to the ground,” [8]8 “Satellites went up into the sky but the red flag fell to the ground” (卫星上天，红旗落地) is a Chinese political metaphor for the Soviet Union’s technological achievements alongside its collapse as a socialist state. was the loss of the ideological bottom line. As the fundamental guiding ideology for our Party’s founding and governance of the country, and for rejuvenating the Party and the country, Marxism is the fundamental ideology of our Party and country, the soul and banner of propaganda, ideological, and cultural work, and the bottom line we must firmly hold. The primary basis for applying bottom-line thinking lies in holding the bottom line. Only by holding the bottom line can propaganda, ideological, and cultural work proceed steadily and avoid making subversive historical mistakes.

宣传思想文化工作极端重要地位的赋予，与宣传思想文化工作突出的意识形态性密切相关。意识形态关乎旗帜、道路和国家安全，是“没有任何妥协、退让的余地，必须取得全胜”的核心领域，是宣传思想文化工作不容篡改、不容挑战的重要底线。因为意识形态的思想底线一旦被突破，必将催生政治上的改旗易帜，进而引发其他工作防线的分崩离析。社会主义超级大国苏联出现“卫星上天”但“红旗落地”历史悲剧的核心原因之一就在于意识形态底线的失守。作为我们立党立国、兴党兴国的根本指导思想，马克思主义是我们党和国家的根本意识形态，是宣传思想文化工作的灵魂和旗帜，是我们必须守牢的底线。底线思维运用的首要基础，就在于守住底线。宣传思想文化工作只有守得住底线，才能行稳致远，不犯颠覆性的历史错误。

(2) Preparing for the Worst: Prejudging and Preventing Potential Risks and Hidden Dangers with a Strong Sense of Urgency

（二）从最坏处着眼：以强烈的忧患意识预判和防范潜在的风险隐患

Bottom-line thinking requires us to attach importance to risks with a strong sense of urgency and to prepare adequately to respond to and guard against various risks in propaganda, ideological, and cultural work. General Secretary Xi Jinping once vividly elaborated the method of applying bottom-line thinking with the phrase “proceeding from the worst-case scenario.” On the one hand, “proceeding from the worst-case scenario” demands that we not harbor any侥幸心理 [9]9 The “Second Integration” (第二个结合) refers to the combination of the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s excellent traditional culture, as distinct from the “First Integration” of Marxism with the concrete realities of the Chinese revolution and construction. It was formally proposed by Xi Jinping in 2023., but instead examine and respond to risks in our work with a highly responsible attitude, comprehensively analyzing and assessing the various harms that risks may bring. On the other hand, “proceeding from the worst-case scenario” requires us to make the most thorough preparations, to administer “preventive inoculations” in terms of ideological readiness and contingency planning, so that any risk remains in a state where it can be prevented, controlled, and managed.

底线思维要求我们以强烈的忧患意识重视风险，以充足的准备应对和防范宣传思想文化工作的各种风险。习近平总书记曾以“从最坏处着眼”的话语生动阐述了底线思维的运用方法。一方面，“从最坏处着眼”要求我们不能抱有侥幸心理，以高度负责的态度审视和应对工作中的风险，全面分析和研判风险可能带来的各种危害；另一方面，“从最坏处着眼”要求我们对应做好最充足的准备，打好思想准备和方案应对的“预防针”，使任何风险始终处于可防可控、能防能控的状态。

Bottom-line thinking requires us to enhance our ability to foresee risks, to see the signs of the times and take precautions against them, and to nip problems in the bud. Risks can accumulate, transmit, and evolve. If risks are not detected in a timely manner, small risks can escalate into large ones, local risks can expand into systemic risks, and potentially harmful risks can turn into substantively destructive ones. Therefore, doing a good job in propaganda, ideological, and cultural work requires being adept at foreseeing risks, attaching great importance to nascent and tendentious problems, and striving to detect risks early and resolve them promptly. For example, in the face of certain moral risks existing in society, such as the “money-worship” view and the “entertainment-to-death”

底线思维要求我们增强风险的预判能力，见微知著、防微杜渐。风险是会积累、传导和演变的。如果风险发现得不及时，小的风险会升级为大的风险，局部性风险会扩大为系统性风险，具有潜在危害的风险会演变为具有实质危害的破坏。因此，做好宣传思想文化工作要善于预判风险，高度重视苗头性、倾向性问题，力争及时发现风险、及早化解风险。比如，面对社会存在的一些道德风险，如“金钱至上”观“娱乐至死”观等，习近平总书记特别提出“人要坚守道德底线”“人的行为不能没有底线”“不让无底线的娱乐淹没我们的生活”等一系列重要论述，指引全党重视和化解道德风险，及时制止道德风险向更严重的意识形态风险的蔓延演变。

(3) Taking the initiative: actively forging new advantages and continuously opening up new prospects

（三）打好主动仗：主动塑造新优势，不断开辟新局面

Bottom-line thinking does not mean that we should passively defend the bottom line; it is a form of thinking that takes the initiative. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out that bottom-line thinking requires both “focusing on plugging loopholes and strengthening weak areas” and “taking the initiative in the fight.” [9]9 The “Second Integration” (第二个结合) refers to the combination of the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s excellent traditional culture, as distinct from the “First Integration” of Marxism with the concrete realities of the Chinese revolution and construction. It was formally proposed by Xi Jinping in 2023. Therefore, work in propaganda, ideology, and culture must not only hold the bottom line and resolve risks but also be adept at actively expanding advantages on the basis of the bottom line, taking the initiative in the fight to open up new prospects. General Secretary Xi Jinping, employing bottom-line thinking, creatively put forward the important exposition of the “three zones” and “position awareness.” The “three zones” divide the field of propaganda, ideology, and culture into the red zone, the gray zone, and the black zone. The red zone is our mainstream ideological position, the bottom-line position that must be resolutely defended; the black zone is the area occupied by hostile forces, against which we must resolutely struggle, continuously compressing and occupying its space; the gray zone is the area that wavers ambiguously between red and black, requiring us to actively carry out ideological guidance work among this group, striving to win them over to the red zone. Through the active occupation of propaganda, ideology, and cultural positions, we firmly grasp the dominant power over ideology.

底线思维不是让我们一味被动地防御底线，而是一种具有主动性的思维。习近平总书记指出，底线思维既要“注重堵漏洞、强弱项”，又要“打好主动仗”。因此，宣传思想文化工作既要守得住底线，化解好风险，又要善于在底线的基础上积极扩大优势，打好开辟新局面的主动仗。习近平总书记曾运用底线思维，创造性地提出了“三个地带”和“阵地意识”的重要论述。“三个地带”是将宣传思想文化领域划分为红、灰、黑这三个地带。红色地带，是我们的主流意识形态阵地，是必须坚决守住的底线阵地；黑色地带，是敌对势力侵占的区域，对此必须坚决进行斗争，持续压缩并占领其空间；灰色地带，则是在红黑之间模糊摇摆的区域，需要我们对这部分群体积极开展思想引导工作，主动争取其向红色地带转化。通过对宣传思想文化阵地的主动占领，牢牢掌握意识形态的主导权。

IV. Grasping the important relationships in propaganda, ideology, and cultural work with comprehensive and systematic dialectical thinking

四、以全面系统的辩证思维把握宣传思想文化工作的重要关系

(1) Correctly grasping the relationship between Party leadership and the principal role of the people

（一）正确把握党的领导与人民主体的关系

Work in propaganda, ideology, and culture must both uphold Party leadership and adhere to a people-centered approach. The two are not opposed; we need to view them dialectically and deeply understand their unity. On the one hand, upholding Party leadership provides a strong organizational guarantee for realizing a people-centered approach. The Communist Party of China has no private interests of its own; it is a party that takes serving the people wholeheartedly as its purpose and regards continuously meeting the people’s aspirations for a better life as its goal. Therefore, upholding Party leadership means adhering to a people-centered approach. On the other hand, adhering to a people-centered approach is an inevitable path for improving and strengthening Party leadership and consolidating the Party’s leading position. General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly pointed out: “The Communist Party of China has its roots in the people, its blood in the people, and its strength in the people.” [10]10 The “Three Adaptations” (三因) methodology, proposed by Xi Jinping in 2016, refers to adapting propaganda, ideological, and cultural work to specific events (因事而化), advancing it in step with the times (因时而进), and renewing it in response to changing circumstances (因势而新). Therefore, discussing Party leadership divorced from the people is unfounded and feeble. In the field of propaganda, ideology, and culture, any rhetoric that sets the Party and the people in opposition, such as “Are you on the Party’s side or the people’s side?” or “Are you speaking for the Party or for the common people?” are subjective, isolated, and one-sided erroneous views.

宣传思想文化工作既要坚持党的领导，也要坚持以人民为中心，二者并不是对立的，需要我们辩证地来看待，深刻认识二者的同一性。一方面，坚持党的领导，为实现坚持以人民为中心提供坚强的组织保障。中国共产党没有任何自己的私利，是将全心全意为人民服务作为自己宗旨的政党，是把不断满足人民群众对美好生活的向往当作自己奋斗目标的政党。因此，坚持党的领导，就是坚持以人民为中心。另一方面，坚持以人民为中心是完善和加强党的领导、强化党的领导地位的必然路径。习近平总书记深刻指出：“中国共产党根基在人民、血脉在人民、力量在人民。”因此，脱离人民谈党的领导是没有根据的、是苍白无力的。在宣传思想文化领域，凡是将党和人民对立起来的论调，诸如“你是站在党的一边，还是站在群众一边”“你是替党讲话，还是替老百姓讲话”等话语，都是主观臆断、孤立片面的错误观点。

(2) Correctly grasping the relationship between economic construction and cultural construction

（二）正确把握经济建设与文化建设的关系

Vigorously developing the economy has been the central task of the Party and the state since the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee. [11] Cultural construction is an extremely important task for the Party and the state. However, economic construction, as the central task, and cultural construction, as an extremely important task, are not diametrically opposed or in conflict; rather, they coordinate and develop together. Promoting economic development is the fundamental key to solving all the contradictions in China’s development and is also the material foundation for doing a good job in cultural construction. Culture is the soul, which integrates into economic development in a “moistening things silently” manner, boosting economic development and endowing economic construction with profound “humanistic value.” Culture not only has the value of boosting economic development but must also take promoting economic development as one of the directions for cultural construction. A culture that has a market may not be an advanced culture, but a culture without a market, one that is not consciously consumed and used by the broad masses, can hardly be called an advanced culture. General Secretary Xi Jinping once pointed out that advanced cultural products “neither ‘chase profit and pander to vulgarity’ nor distance themselves from the market or ignore the market.” [12] Thus, economic development must embody humanistic care, and cultural construction must also value “box office returns”; the two are inseparable and mutually reinforcing in their developmental relationship.

大力发展经济，自党的十一届三中全会以来，一直是党和国家的中心工作。文化建设，则是党和国家的一项极端重要的工作。然而，作为中心工作的经济建设和作为极端重要工作的文化建设并不是截然对立、相互冲突的，而是相互协调、共同发展的。推动经济发展，是解决我国一切发展矛盾的根本钥匙，也是做好文化建设的物质基础所在。文化则是灵魂，是以“润物细无声”的方式绵绵融入经济发展之中，助推经济的发展，赋予经济建设深厚的“人文价值”。文化不仅具有助推经济发展的价值，还要以推动经济发展作为文化建设的发展方向之一。有市场的文化或许不是先进文化，但没有市场的文化、没有被广大群众自觉消费使用的文化难以称为先进文化。习近平总书记曾指出，先进的文化产品，“既不‘趋利媚俗’，又不远离市场、忽视市场”。由此可见，经济发展要体现人文关怀，文化建设也要重视“票房价值”，二者是密不可分、相互促进的发展关系。

(3) Correctly grasping the relationship between positive propaganda and negative struggle

（三）正确把握正面宣传与负面斗争的关系

In our daily lives, there are both positive and uplifting voices and negative and adverse public opinion; these are two aspects of objective social existence. Faced with these two aspects, workers in propaganda, ideology, and culture must adhere to the unity of the two-point theory and the key-point theory. The so-called two-point theory means, on the one hand, not only seeing the negative and ignoring the positive—for example, seeing individual problems and, like a leaf blocking the view of Mount Tai, describing the overall situation as completely dark; on the other hand, not only seeing the positive and ignoring the negative, failing to solve problems. Adhering to the two-point theory means both doing a good job of positive propaganda and actively struggling against negative problems. The so-called key-point theory means distinguishing the primary and secondary aspects of work and grasping the focus of work. From the actual situation of our country’s development, positive and uplifting things occupy the mainstream, while negative and adverse problems are a tributary. Therefore, work in propaganda, ideology, and culture must be based on reality, comprehensively and accurately reflect the positive mainstream, and make singing the main theme the focus of work.

在我们的日常生活中，既有积极正面的声音，也有消极负面的舆论，这是社会客观存在的两个方面。面对这两个方面，宣传思想文化工作者必须坚持两点论与重点论的统一。所谓两点论，一方面是不能只看负面、忽视正面，比如由于看到了个别问题，就一叶障目地把整体形势说得一片黑暗；另一方面是不能只看正面、忽视负面，不去解决问题。坚持两点论，就是既要做好正面宣传，也要积极同负面问题作斗争。所谓重点论，就是分清工作主次、把握工作重点。从我们国家的发展实际看，积极正面的事物占据主流，消极负面的问题是支流。因此，宣传思想文化工作必须立足实际，全面准确地反映积极正面的主流，将唱响主旋律作为工作的重点。

(4) Correctly grasping the relationship between domestic and international affairs

（四）正确把握国内与国际的关系

Work in propaganda, ideology, and culture is neither a patent of China nor an exclusive preserve of any country in the world. In particular, Western countries, using their advantageous position in public opinion, fabricate discourses such as the “China threat theory” and the “

宣传思想文化工作既不是中国的专利，也不是世界哪个国家的专享物。特别是西方国家利用其舆论的优势条件，编造出“中国威胁论”“中国崩溃论”等话语来故意抹黑中国、唱衰中国。因此，做好宣传思想文化工作不能“躲进小楼成一统”，而要以辩证思维统筹把握国内与国际的关系。党的十八大以来，习近平总书记既对国内的宣传思想文化工作作出重要部署，也身体力行地走向世界、扎实推进面向国际的宣传思想文化工作，全面、准确、生动地阐述中国主张和中国方案，既让世界各国更好地了解中国，又为世界共同发展提供了中国方案和中国智慧，塑造了可亲、可爱、可敬的大国形象。

V. Enhancing the Innovative Vitality of Propaganda, Ideological, and Cultural Work with Innovation Thinking That Leads the Times

五、以引领时代的创新思维提升宣传思想文化工作的创新活力

(I) Theoretical Innovation: Leading a New Ideological Emancipation with the “Second Integration”[9]9 The “Second Integration” (第二个结合) refers to the combination of the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s excellent traditional culture, as distinct from the “First Integration” of Marxism with the concrete realities of the Chinese revolution and construction. It was formally proposed by Xi Jinping in 2023.

（一）理论创新：以“第二个结合”引领新的思想解放

Theory is the guide for work, and theoretical innovation provides the broad space for breaking new ground in work. The “First Integration” mainly addressed, from the practical perspective of China’s reality, the question of how Marxism takes root and is applied in China, achieving an emancipation of the mind. The “Second Integration” focuses on the cultural dimension of Chinese history, clarifying the question of how Marxism is deeply rooted and innovatively developed in China, achieving another emancipation of the mind. Emancipation of the mind is the vital source of vitality for driving innovation. The “Second Integration” in the New Era not only provides a profound cultural foundation for Chinese-path modernization, but also opens up space for innovation and points out the direction of development for doing a good job in propaganda, ideological, and cultural work on the new journey of the New Era.

理论是工作的指南，理论创新则提供了开创工作新局面的广阔空间。“第一个结合”主要从中国现实的实践角度，解答了马克思主义在中国如何落地、如何应用的问题，实现了思想解放。“第二个结合”则聚焦中国历史的文化层面，明确了马克思主义在中国如何深入扎根、如何创新发展的问题，实现了又一次的思想解放。思想解放是推动创新的活力源泉。新时代的“第二个结合”既为中国式现代化建设提供了深厚的文化底蕴，也为做好新时代新征程宣传思想文化工作开辟了创新空间，指明了发展方向。

(2) Methodological Innovation: Adapting to Events, Advancing with the Times, and Renewing with the Situation

（二）方法创新：因事而化、因时而进、因势而新

Xi Jinping’s Cultural Thought includes not only theoretical innovation but also innovation in working methods. The process of theoretical propaganda, ideological education, and cultural inheritance should be a process that enlightens the mind, cleanses the soul, and inspires fighting spirit. To ensure this process proceeds smoothly in practice and achieves ideal results, the key lies in “paying attention to methods and approaches” and “explaining principles deeply, thoroughly, and vividly.” [10]10 The “Three Adaptations” (三因) methodology, proposed by Xi Jinping in 2016, refers to adapting propaganda, ideological, and cultural work to specific events (因事而化), advancing it in step with the times (因时而进), and renewing it in response to changing circumstances (因势而新). In December 2016, at the National Conference on Ideological and Political Work in Colleges and Universities, General Secretary Xi Jinping proposed the “Three Adaptations” methodology of “adapting to events, advancing with the times, and renewing with the situation,” which is one of the important innovations in the methods of propaganda, ideological, and cultural work.

习近平文化思想不仅有面向理论上的创新，还有面向工作方法上的创新。理论宣传、思想教育、文化传承的过程，应是一个启迪心智、荡涤灵魂、激扬斗志的过程。若要使这一过程在实践中顺利开展、取得理想效果，关键在于“注重方式方法”，“把道理讲深、讲透、讲活”。2016年12月，习近平总书记在全国高校思想政治工作会议上提出了“因事而化、因时而进、因势而新”的“三因”方法论，便是对宣传思想文化工作方法的重要创新之一。

(3) Institutional Innovation: Improving the Governance System for Propaganda, Ideological, and Cultural Work

（三）制度创新：完善宣传思想文化工作的治理体系

The establishment and improvement of a “four-dimensional integrated” institutional system pattern for propaganda, ideological, and cultural work, characterized by Chinese features and integrating national laws, intra-Party regulations, administrative regulations, and normative documents, is an important manifestation of innovative thinking in the dimension of institutional construction. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the rules and regulations across these four dimensions—national laws such as the Cybersecurity Law of the People’s Republic of China, intra-Party regulations such as the Regulations of the Communist Party of China on Propaganda Work, administrative regulations such as the Provisions on the Ecological Governance of Online Information Content, and normative documents such as the Opinions on Strengthening and Improving Ideological and Political Work in the New Era—have been continuously enriched and improved. The enrichment and improvement of these systems provide a solid institutional guarantee for doing a good job in propaganda, ideological, and cultural work in the New Era.

具有中国特色的集国家法律、党内条例、行政法规和规范性文件“四维一体”的宣传思想文化工作制度体系格局的建立和完善，是创新思维在制度建设向度上的重要体现。党的十八大以来，可供宣传思想文化工作依循的国家法律如《中华人民共和国网络安全法》、党内条例如《中国共产党宣传工作条例》、行政法规如《网络信息内容生态治理规定》和规范性文件如《关于新时代加强和改进思想政治工作的意见》四个维度上的规章制度不断丰富完善。这些制度的丰富和完善，为新时代做好宣传思想文化工作提供了坚实的制度保障。

Online Editor: You Heng

网络编辑：有恒