Deeply Understand That Propaganda, Ideology, and Cultural Work Is an Extremely Important Task

General Secretary Xi Jinping, standing at the overall and strategic height of the development of the Party and the state in the New Era, has issued important instructions on propaganda, ideology, and cultural work. He fully affirmed the historic achievements made in propaganda, ideology, and cultural undertakings since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, profoundly expounded the important status and role of propaganda, ideology, and cultural work, and put forward clear requirements for fully implementing the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the CPC, shouldering the new cultural mission, and doing a good job in propaganda, ideology, and cultural work on the new journey of the New Era. General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important instructions point out: “Propaganda, ideology, and cultural work concerns the future and destiny of the Party, concerns the long-term stability and security of the state, concerns the cohesion and centripetal force of the nation, and is an extremely important task.” [1]1 A classical Chinese saying, often attributed to the historian Gong Zizhen (1792–1841) of the Qing dynasty, emphasizing the primacy of culture and historical memory in national survival. The proposal of these “three concerns” by General Secretary Xi Jinping reflects the further deepening of our Party’s understanding of the status and role of propaganda, ideology, and cultural work, fully elucidates the strategic and overall significance of propaganda, ideology, and cultural work, and points the direction for us to shoulder the new cultural mission on the new journey of the New Era.

习近平总书记站在新时代党和国家事业发展全局和战略高度，对宣传思想文化工作作出重要指示，充分肯定党的十八大以来宣传思想文化事业取得的历史性成就，深刻阐述宣传思想文化工作的重要地位作用，对全面贯彻党的二十大精神、担负起新的文化使命、做好新时代新征程宣传思想文化工作提出了明确要求。习近平总书记的重要指示指出：“宣传思想文化工作事关党的前途命运，事关国家长治久安，事关民族凝聚力和向心力，是一项极端重要的工作。”习近平总书记这“三个事关”的提出，体现了我们党对宣传思想文化工作地位和作用认识的进一步深化，充分阐释了宣传思想文化工作的战略性与全局性意义，为我们新时代新征程担负起新的文化使命指明了方向。

I. Propaganda, Ideology, and Cultural Work Concerns the Future and Destiny of the Party

一、宣传思想文化工作事关党的前途命运

Since the birth of Marxist political parties, propaganda, ideology, and cultural work has always held an important status and role. In 1847, in the “Communist League Charter” drafted by Marx and Engels for the world’s first proletarian party, the Communist League, the concept of “propaganda work” appeared. It explicitly required that members must “possess revolutionary perseverance and strive to carry out propaganda work,” and made this a necessary condition for joining the League. [2]2 Quotation from Xi Jinping’s speech at the opening ceremony of the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations, May 15, 2019. In Lenin’s works, the term “propaganda and agitation work” is more commonly used, its main purpose being to awaken the political consciousness of the working class and cultivate the revolutionary enthusiasm of the proletariat. Lenin pointed out that propaganda work “means spreading the theory of scientific socialism among the workers… closely linked with propaganda work is agitation work among the workers.” [3]3 Quotation from Xi Jinping’s speech at the Forum on Literature and Art Work, October 15, 2014.

自马克思主义政党诞生以来，宣传思想文化工作始终具有重要地位和作用。1847年，在马克思恩格斯为世界第一个无产阶级政党——共产主义者同盟起草的《共产主义者同盟章程》中就有了“宣传工作”的概念，明确要求盟员要“具有革命毅力并努力进行宣传工作”，并把其作为加入同盟的必要条件。在列宁的著作中，多用“宣传鼓动工作”，其主要目的是要唤醒工人阶级政治觉悟，培养无产阶级革命热情。列宁指出，宣传工作“就是在工人中间宣传科学社会主义学说……同宣传工作紧密相联的，就是在工人中间进行鼓动工作”。

For over a hundred years, our Party has always attached great importance to propaganda, ideology, and cultural work, placing it in an extremely important position within overall work. The first resolution adopted at the Party’s First National Congress in July 1921 listed Party propaganda as a separate section, stipulating that the publication of all books, daily newspapers, slogans, and leaflets should be supervised by the Central Executive Committee or the Provisional Central Executive Committee. It also explicitly called for the establishment of research institutions for trade union organizations to conduct research on “the history of the workers’ movement, methods of organizing factory workers, Karl Marx’s economic theory, and the current state of the workers’ movement in various countries,” with the main purpose being “to educate the workers so that they can realize communist ideas in practice.” [4]4 Quotation from Xi Jinping’s speech at the National Conference on Propaganda and Ideology Work, August 19, 2013. During the period of the New Democratic Revolution, our Party insisted on grasping both the “gun barrel” and the “pen barrel.” From “the Communist Party must hold propaganda leaflets in its left hand and guns in its right hand to defeat the enemy” to “propaganda work is the grain and fodder for all revolutionary work,” from “building the Party ideologically and building the army politically” to “arousing hundreds of millions of workers and peasants to work with one heart,” it continuously inspired the revolutionary will and spirit of “daring to sacrifice, daring to change the sun and moon for a new sky.” [5]5 “Peaceful evolution” is a term used by the CPC to describe the strategy of Western powers to subvert socialist states through non-military means, such as ideological infiltration and cultural influence, rather than direct confrontation. Comrade Mao Zedong pointed out in his closing speech at the Seventh National Congress of the CPC that Party propaganda work “must first make the vanguard class conscious, determined, unafraid of difficulties, and overcoming all obstacles to strive for victory. It must also make the broad masses of the people throughout the country conscious, willing to struggle together with us to strive for victory.” [6]6 Quotation from Friedrich Engels, *Dialectics of Nature* (1873–1883). During this period, our Party’s propaganda, ideology, and cultural work played a major role in spreading Marxism, publicizing the Party’s revolutionary propositions, and mobilizing workers and peasants to participate in the revolution, providing powerful strength for winning revolutionary victory.

一百多年来，我们党始终高度重视宣传思想文化工作，并将其置于全局工作中极端重要的位置。1921年7月党的第一次全国代表大会通过的第一个决议，就将党的宣传单列一个部分，规定一切书籍、日报、标语和传单的出版工作，均应受中央执行委员会或临时中央执行委员会的监督，并明确要成立工会组织的研究机构，围绕“工人运动史，组织工厂工人的方法，卡尔·马克思的经济学说，各国工人运动的现状”开展研究，主要目的是“教育工人，使他们在实践中去实现共产党的思想”。在新民主主义革命时期，我们党坚持既抓“枪杆子”也抓“笔杆子”，从“共产党是要在左手拿宣传单，右手拿枪弹，才可以打倒敌人”到“宣传工作就是一切革命工作的粮草”，从“思想建党、政治建军”到“唤起工农千百万，同心干”，不断激发起“为有牺牲多壮志，敢教日月换新天”的革命斗志与革命精神。毛泽东同志在党的七大闭幕词中指出，党的宣传工作“首先要使先锋队觉悟，下定决心，不怕困难，排除万难去争取胜利。还必须使全国广大人民群众觉悟，甘心情愿和我们一起奋斗，去争取胜利”。这一时期，我们党的宣传思想文化工作在传播马克思主义、宣传党的革命主张、动员工农群众参与革命等方面发挥了重大作用，为夺取革命胜利提供了强大力量。

During the period of socialist revolution and construction, the Party, in order to adapt to the needs of governing the whole country, leading socialist revolution and construction, vigorously strengthened political education and ideological transformation throughout society, and vigorously promoted the elimination of the old and establishment of the new in education, science, and cultural undertakings. In May 1951, the Party Central Committee convened the first National Conference on Propaganda Work after the founding of New China, comprehensively deploying propaganda work in New China. The conference pointed out: “Under the new situation and new conditions, the task of the Party’s propaganda work is to educate the people on a national scale and in full scope using the ideological principles of Marxism-Leninism.” [7]7 The “Fourteen Emphases” refer to a set of guiding principles for cultural work outlined by Xi Jinping at the Symposium on Cultural Heritage and Development on June 2, 2023, covering aspects such as cultural confidence, the “Two Integrations,” and the protection of cultural heritage. The second National Conference on Propaganda Work held by the Party in May 1954 and the subsequent notice issued by the Central Committee of the CPC, focusing on implementing the Party’s general line for the transition period, required the launch of study, propaganda, and education activities on Marxist-Leninist theory and socialist ideology among the entire Party and even the entire people. It clarified the importance of strengthening ideological work in all aspects of the Party’s and state’s work, which was of great significance for laying the ideological foundation among all the people for realizing national industrialization and the gradual transition to a socialist society. During this period, the Party’s propaganda, ideology, and cultural work provided a strong guarantee for consolidating the newly born people’s democratic dictatorship, comprehensively restoring the national economy, successfully completing the Three Major Transformations, [8]8 Quotation from Xi Jinping’s speech at the celebration of the 95th anniversary of the founding of the CPC, July 1, 2016. and promoting large-scale socialist construction, inspiring the great power of unity and hard struggle.

在社会主义革命和建设时期，党为适应在全国执政、领导社会主义革命和建设的需要，大力加强全社会政治教育和思想改造，大力推动教育科学文化事业除旧布新。1951年5月党中央召开新中国成立后第一次全国宣传工作会议，全面部署新中国宣传工作。会议指出：“在新形势、新条件下，党的宣传工作的任务，就是用马列主义的思想原则在全国范围内和全体规模上教育人民。”1954年5月党召开的第二次全国宣传工作会议和此后中共中央发出的通知，围绕贯彻实施党在过渡时期的总路线，要求在全党以至全国人民中间开展对马克思列宁主义理论和社会主义思想的学习、宣传和教育活动，明确了在党和国家工作的一切环节上加强思想工作的重要性，对于在全体人民中奠定实现国家工业化和逐步过渡到社会主义社会的思想基础，具有重要意义。这一时期，党的宣传思想文化工作为巩固新生的人民民主政权、全面恢复国民经济、顺利完成三大改造、推进大规模社会主义建设提供了坚强保障，激发起万众一心、艰苦奋斗的伟大力量。

During the period of reform and opening up, while carrying out ideological rectification, our Party, in order to adapt to the needs of reform and opening up, insisted on “grasping both hands, both hands must be hard” in material civilization and cultural-ethical progress. It clarified that cultural-ethical progress is an important component of the overall layout of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and actively opened up a new situation in propaganda, ideology, and cultural construction. From the great debate on the criterion of truth to the re-establishment of the Party’s ideological line, and then to the propaganda of the theory of building socialism with Chinese characteristics, the Party’s propaganda work closely centered on the central task of economic construction, highlighted the theme of deepening reform and expanding opening up, and actively propagated the basic line of “one center, two basic points.” [9]9 Paraphrase of a passage from Arnold J. Toynbee, *A Study of History* (1934–1961), vol. 1, p. 36. During this period, the Party’s propaganda, ideology, and cultural work advanced in reform and developed in innovation. Its content and fields continuously expanded, methods and means continuously improved, systems and mechanisms continuously perfected, vitality and strength greatly enhanced, and team quality markedly improved, providing a powerful ideological guarantee, spiritual motivation, public opinion support, and cultural conditions for reform and opening up and socialist modernization.

在改革开放时期，我们党在进行思想上的拨乱反正的同时，适应改革开放需要，坚持物质文明和精神文明“两手抓、两手都要硬”，明确精神文明建设是中国特色社会主义事业总体布局的重要组成部分，积极开拓宣传思想文化建设新局面。从真理标准大讨论到重新确立党的思想路线，再到建设有中国特色社会主义理论的宣传，党的宣传工作紧紧围绕经济建设这个中心工作，突出深化改革、扩大开放的主题，积极宣传“一个中心、两个基本点”的基本路线。这一时期，党的宣传思想文化工作在改革中前进、在创新中发展，内容领域不断拓展，方法手段不断改进，体制机制不断完善，活力实力大大增强，队伍素质明显提高，为改革开放和社会主义现代化建设提供了强大的思想保证、精神动力、舆论支持和文化条件。

Since the New Era, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has placed propaganda, ideology, and cultural work in a prominent position in governance. From an overall and strategic height, it has made systematic plans and deployments for propaganda, ideology, and cultural work, promoting historic achievements in our country’s propaganda, ideology, and cultural undertakings through clarifying origins and upholding fundamental principles while innovating. The situation in the ideological field has undergone a comprehensive and fundamental transformation. The Party’s innovative theory in the New Era has deeply entered people’s hearts, core socialist values have been widely disseminated, the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture has been continuously advanced, cultural undertakings and cultural industries have become increasingly prosperous, the online ecosystem has continued to improve, the cultural confidence of the entire Party and people of all ethnic groups in the country has markedly increased, their spiritual outlook has become more vigorous and uplifted, and they have radiated a stronger historical consciousness and proactive spirit, confidently writing the great history of China’s development in the New Era. History and practice have fully proven that propaganda, ideology, and cultural work is an extremely important task of the Party, concerning the future and destiny of the Party. Doing a good job in propaganda, ideology, and cultural work is the unique magic weapon for our Party to forge brilliance amidst hardship, resolutely rise after setbacks, and win the future after struggle.

新时代以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央把宣传思想文化工作摆在治国理政的突出位置，从全局和战略高度，对宣传思想文化工作作出系统谋划和部署，推动我国宣传思想文化事业在正本清源、守正创新中取得历史性成就，意识形态领域形势发生全局性、根本性转变。新时代党的创新理论深入人心，社会主义核心价值观广泛传播，中华优秀传统文化创造性转化、创新性发展不断推进，文化事业和文化产业日益繁荣，网络生态持续向好，全党全国各族人民文化自信明显增强、精神面貌更加奋发昂扬，焕发出更为强烈的历史自觉和主动精神，正在信心百倍书写着新时代中国发展的伟大历史。历史和实践充分证明，宣传思想文化工作是党的一项极端重要的工作，事关党的前途命运。做好宣传思想文化工作是我们党在苦难中铸就辉煌、挫折后毅然奋起、奋斗后赢得未来的不二法宝。

On the new journey of the New Era, changes unseen in a century are accelerating, the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered a critical period, strategic opportunities and risks and challenges coexist, and propaganda, ideology, and cultural work faces new situations and new tasks, requiring new atmospheres and new achievements. On the path forward, we must adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, fully implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the CPC, and with the mission and consciousness that “grasping ideological leadership is the first priority in grasping all leadership,” [10]10 Quotation from Xi Jinping’s speech at the commemoration of the 95th anniversary of the founding of the CPC, July 1, 2016. integrate propaganda, ideology, and cultural work as the Party’s “lifeline” throughout all work. Focus on the primary political task of arming the entire Party and educating the people with the Party’s innovative theory, continuously consolidate the common ideological foundation for the united struggle of the entire Party and people of all ethnic groups in the country, continuously enhance the country’s cultural soft power and the influence of Chinese culture, and provide a solid ideological guarantee, powerful spiritual strength, and favorable cultural conditions for comprehensively building a modern socialist country and comprehensively advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

新时代新征程，世界百年未有之大变局加速演进，中华民族伟大复兴进入关键时期，战略机遇和风险挑战并存，宣传思想文化工作面临新形势新任务，必须要有新气象新作为。前进道路上，我们要坚持以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，全面贯彻党的二十大精神，以“掌握思想领导是掌握一切领导的第一位”的使命和自觉，把宣传思想文化工作作为党的“生命线”贯穿各项工作始终。聚焦用党的创新理论武装全党、教育人民这个首要政治任务，不断巩固全党全国各族人民团结奋斗的共同思想基础，不断提升国家文化软实力和中华文化影响力，为全面建设社会主义现代化国家、全面推进中华民族伟大复兴提供坚强思想保证、强大精神力量、有利文化条件。

II. Propaganda, Ideology, and Cultural Work Concerns the Long-Term Stability and Security of the State

二、宣传思想文化工作事关国家长治久安

“To destroy a state, one must first destroy its history; to annihilate a nation, one must first annihilate its culture.” [1]1 A classical Chinese saying, often attributed to the historian Gong Zizhen (1792–1841) of the Qing dynasty, emphasizing the primacy of culture and historical memory in national survival. Culture concerns the foundation of a state and its destiny. The cultural pulse and the national pulse are as interdependent as lips and teeth, closely linked. “The vast Chinese nation has a long history and a broad civilization. The fine traditional Chinese culture created and continued by the Chinese nation over thousands of years is the root and soul of the Chinese nation.” [2]2 Quotation from Xi Jinping’s speech at the opening ceremony of the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations, May 15, 2019. General Secretary Xi Jinping has clearly put forward the major theoretical innovation of the “Two Integrations,” especially the “Second Integration,” precisely in order to use the truth-force of Marxism to activate the vitality of fine traditional Chinese culture and consolidate the cultural subjectivity of the Chinese nation. “Without the flourishing and prosperity of Chinese culture, there can be no great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” [3]3 Quotation from Xi Jinping’s speech at the Forum on Literature and Art Work, October 15, 2014. We must deeply understand that propaganda, ideology, and cultural work occupies an irreplaceable position and role in the governance of the state and holds extreme importance.

“欲要亡其国，必先亡其史，欲灭其族，必先灭其文化。”文化关乎国本、国运。文脉国脉唇齿相依，紧紧相连。“泱泱中华，历史悠久，文明博大。中华民族在几千年历史中创造和延续的中华优秀传统文化，是中华民族的根和魂。”习近平总书记鲜明提出“两个结合”特别是“第二个结合”这一重大理论创新，正在于用马克思主义真理力量激活中华优秀传统文化的生命力，巩固了中华民族的文化主体性。“没有中华文化繁荣兴盛，就没有中华民族伟大复兴。”我们应深刻认识到，宣传思想文化工作在治国理政中的地位和作用不可替代，具有极端的重要性。

From a historical perspective, the excellent components of traditional Chinese thought and culture, including Confucianism, have played a very important role in the formation and continuous development of Chinese civilization over thousands of years without interruption; in the formation and maintenance of China’s united and unified political situation; in the formation and consolidation of the large family of China’s multi-ethnic unity and integration; in the formation and enrichment of the Chinese national spirit; in inspiring Chinese sons and daughters to maintain national independence and resist foreign aggression; and in promoting China’s social development and progress and balancing social interests and relations. From the perspective of domestic and international realities, Western hostile forces continuously export “cultural hegemony,” promote social trends such as liberalism, historical nihilism, and cultural nihilism, and advocate for constitutional democracy and “universal values.” Through means such as “de-ideologization,” “de-valorization,” “de-historicization,” “de-Sinicization,” and “de-mainstreamization,” they “always attempt to make our Party change its banner, change its name, and change its surname.” [4]4 Quotation from Xi Jinping’s speech at the National Conference on Propaganda and Ideology Work, August 19, 2013. The disintegration of the Soviet Union, the upheavals in Eastern Europe, and the “color revolutions” in some countries repeatedly confirm that military force cannot defeat socialism, economic pressure cannot crush socialism, but the “war without the smoke of gunpowder” in the realm of ideology and culture can plunge the world socialist movement into a low tide.

从历史的角度看，包括儒家思想在内的中国传统思想文化中的优秀成分，对中华文明形成并延续发展几千年而从未中断，对形成和维护中国团结统一的政治局面，对形成和巩固中国多民族和合一体的大家庭，对形成和丰富中华民族精神，对激励中华儿女维护民族独立、反抗外来侵略，对推动中国社会发展进步、促进中国社会利益和社会关系平衡，都发挥了十分重要的作用。从国内外现实的角度看，西方敌对势力不断输出“文化霸权”，推销自由主义、历史虚无主义、文化虚无主义等社会思潮，鼓吹宪政民主论、“普世价值论”等，通过“去思想化”、“去价值化”、“去历史化”、“去中国化”、“去主流化”等手段，“总是企图让我们党改旗易帜、改名换姓”。苏联解体、东欧剧变以及一些国家发生的“颜色革命”一再印证，军事武装打不倒社会主义，经济压制搞不垮社会主义，但思想文化和意识形态领域“看不见硝烟的战争”却能使世界社会主义运动陷入低潮。

History is the best textbook and the best sobering agent. Our Party has always placed propaganda, ideology, and cultural work and the struggle in the ideological domain at the level of the survival or extinction of the state, clearly and resolutely waging a long-term and determined struggle against the schemes of “peaceful evolution.” [5]5 “Peaceful evolution” is a term used by the CPC to describe the strategy of Western powers to subvert socialist states through non-military means, such as ideological infiltration and cultural influence, rather than direct confrontation. At the National Conference on Propaganda and Ideology Work in August 2013, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: “I have been thinking about one question… Can we Chinese Communists uphold the Party’s leadership and uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics under the increasingly complex domestic and international environment? This still requires successive generations of Communists to continue to answer. Doing a good job in ideological work and propaganda and ideology work must be understood against this broad background.” Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, we have continuously strengthened the Party’s leadership over ideological work, raised the banner and drawn the sword, taken forceful measures, and effectively resisted the interference of various erroneous ideological trends in the development of the Party’s and the state’s undertakings. The guiding position of Marxism in the ideological domain has become more consolidated, the common ideological foundation for the united struggle of the entire Party and people of all ethnic groups across the country has become more consolidated, and the cohesive and guiding force of socialist ideology has continuously strengthened.

历史是最好的教科书，也是最好的清醒剂。我们党始终把宣传思想文化工作和意识形态领域斗争问题放在国家生死存亡的高度来认识，旗帜鲜明地同“和平演变”的图谋作长期的、坚决的斗争。习近平总书记在2013年8月全国宣传思想工作会议上强调：“我一直在思考一个问题……我们中国共产党人能不能在日益复杂的国际国内环境下坚持住党的领导、坚持和发展中国特色社会主义，这个还需要我们一代一代共产党人继续作出回答。做好意识形态工作，做好宣传思想工作，要放到这个大背景下来认识。”党的十八大以来，我们不断加强党对意识形态工作的领导，举旗亮剑，采取有力措施，有效抵制了各种错误思想思潮对党和国家事业发展的干扰，马克思主义在意识形态领域的指导地位更加巩固，全党全国各族人民团结奋斗的共同思想基础更加巩固，社会主义意识形态凝聚力和引领力不断增强。

The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will by no means be achieved easily or smoothly; we must fully estimate the difficulties, risks, and uncertainties that may be encountered. This is an unavoidable challenge in the process of China’s development from a large country to a strong country, and a threshold that must be crossed to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Doing a good job in propaganda, ideology, and cultural work is an inevitable requirement for building a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: “At present, various hostile forces have been attempting to create ‘color revolutions’ in our country, vainly attempting to subvert the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party and our socialist system. This is a real danger facing the security of our state power. The breakthrough point they have chosen is the ideological domain, attempting to confuse people’s thinking and then fish in troubled waters and seize victory in chaos. Under the new situation, the struggle in the ideological domain is complex and acute.” The collapse of a regime often begins in the ideological sphere; political turmoil and regime change can happen overnight, but ideological evolution is a long-term process. Once the ideological defense line is breached, other defense lines are difficult to hold. In the struggle in the ideological domain, we have no room for any compromise or retreat; we must achieve complete victory. Propaganda, ideology, and cultural work is an important front related to the long-term stability and security of the state, increasingly becoming the “forward position” of struggle and competition. No matter what stage the cause reaches, for a large country like China and a large party like the Chinese Communist Party, it is necessary, from the perspective of the survival or extinction of the Party and the state, to constantly strengthen position awareness and struggle awareness, resolutely and effectively prevent and resolve ideological risks, dare to draw the sword, and dare to struggle. In all matters, proceed from the worst-case scenario and strive for the best outcome, fight a prepared and assured battle, firmly grasp the initiative in propaganda, ideology, and cultural work, and undertake new cultural missions at the new historical starting point.

中华民族伟大复兴绝不是轻轻松松、顺顺当当就能实现的，要充分估计到可能遇到的困难、风险和不确定性。这是我国由大向强发展进程中无法回避的挑战，是实现中华民族伟大复兴绕不过的门槛。做好宣传思想文化工作是强国建设、民族复兴的必然要求。习近平总书记强调：“当前，各种敌对势力一直企图在我国制造‘颜色革命’，妄图颠覆中国共产党领导和我国社会主义制度。这是我国政权安全面临的现实危险。他们选中的一个突破口就是意识形态领域，企图把人们思想搞乱，然后浑水摸鱼、乱中取胜。新形势下，意识形态领域斗争复杂尖锐。”一个政权的瓦解往往是从思想领域开始的，政治动荡、政权更迭可能在一夜之间发生，但思想演化是个长期过程。思想防线被攻破了，其他防线就很难守住。在意识形态领域斗争上，我们没有任何妥协退让的余地，必须取得全胜。宣传思想文化工作是事关国家长治久安的重要战线，日益成为斗争博弈的“前沿阵地”。无论事业发展到什么地步，对于中国这样一个大国，对于中国共产党这样一个大党来说，都必须从党和国家生死存亡的高度，时刻增强阵地意识、斗争意识，坚决有效防范化解意识形态风险，敢于亮剑、敢于斗争。凡事从最坏处着眼、向最好处努力，打有准备、有把握之仗，牢牢把握宣传思想文化工作主动权，在新的历史起点上承担起新的文化使命。

III. Propaganda, Ideology, and Cultural Work Concerns National Cohesion and Centripetal Force

三、宣传思想文化工作事关民族凝聚力和向心力

Culture is the bloodline of a nation and the spiritual home of its people. “A nation that wants to stand at the pinnacle of science cannot for a moment do without theoretical thinking.” [6]6 Quotation from Friedrich Engels, *Dialectics of Nature* (1873–1883). General Secretary Xi Jinping points out: “Civilization, especially thought and culture, is the soul of a country and a nation. No matter which country or which nation, if it does not cherish its own thought and culture, if it loses the soul of thought and culture, that country and that nation cannot stand up.” Cultural confidence is the most fundamental, deepest, and most enduring force in the development of a country and a nation. The progress of a country and a nation requires not only abundant material strength but also the spiritual guidance of advanced thought and culture.

文化是民族的血脉，是人民的精神家园。“一个民族想要站在科学的最高峰，就一刻也不能没有理论思维”。习近平总书记指出：“文明特别是思想文化是一个国家、一个民族的灵魂。无论哪一个国家、哪一个民族，如果不珍惜自己的思想文化，丢掉了思想文化这个灵魂，这个国家、这个民族是立不起来的。”文化自信是一个国家、一个民族发展中最基本、最深沉、最持久的力量。一个国家、一个民族的进步不仅需要丰富的物质力量，更需要先进思想文化的精神指引。

At the Symposium on Cultural Heritage and Development, General Secretary Xi Jinping clarified the “Fourteen Emphases” [7]7 The “Fourteen Emphases” refer to a set of guiding principles for cultural work outlined by Xi Jinping at the Symposium on Cultural Heritage and Development on June 2, 2023, covering aspects such as cultural confidence, the “Two Integrations,” and the protection of cultural heritage. on cultural construction, made a concise summary of the important elements of fine traditional Chinese culture, and deeply expounded on the outstanding continuity, innovativeness, unity, inclusiveness, and peacefulness of Chinese civilization. This highlights the foundation of confidence that Chinese civilization has sources and roots, and the way of self-strengthening that keeps pace with the times and discards the outdated, and reveals the outstanding advantages of the Chinese nation in standing on its own and becoming strong amidst the world’s cultural currents. Compared with other nations and states in the world, although the Chinese nation has experienced many crises over thousands of years, it has been reborn from the ashes each time, radiating vigorous vitality. This is precisely because unified thought and culture have endowed the Chinese nation with strong vitality and creativity, and have also forged the indestructible cohesion and centripetal force of the Chinese nation. “The fine traditional Chinese culture nurtured in over 5,000 years of civilization development, and the revolutionary culture and advanced socialist culture nurtured in the great struggle of the Party and the people, embody the deepest spiritual pursuits of the Chinese nation and represent the unique spiritual identity of the Chinese nation.” [8]8 Quotation from Xi Jinping’s speech at the celebration of the 95th anniversary of the founding of the CPC, July 1, 2016. China has formed a unified multi-ethnic state with a population of over 1.4 billion that is highly united in spirit and culture, which is unique in the world. China’s history, which has continued uninterrupted for thousands of years, has formed a unique, broad, and profound value system and civilization system, which is also unique in the world. The pursuit of unity has become our way of life and thought, as well as our value. The British historian Arnold Toynbee once said: “As far as the Chinese are concerned, for thousands of years, they have been more successful than any other nation in the world in uniting hundreds of millions of people politically and culturally. They have demonstrated an unparalleled successful experience in this ability to unify politically and culturally.” [9]9 Paraphrase of a passage from Arnold J. Toynbee, *A Study of History* (1934–1961), vol. 1, p. 36. History flows endlessly, and the spirit is passed down from generation to generation. “The spirit is the soul on which a nation relies for long-term survival. Only when the spirit reaches a certain height can this nation stand firm and forge ahead in the torrent of history.” [10]10 Quotation from Xi Jinping’s speech at the commemoration of the 95th anniversary of the founding of the CPC, July 1, 2016. Just as the great founding spirit of the Party formed in the course of the Party’s century-long development—“upholding truth and ideals, staying true to the original aspiration and founding mission, fearing no sacrifice and bravely struggling, being loyal to the Party and living up to the people’s trust”—is not only a portrayal of our century-long struggle but also the spiritual code for our successful united struggle.

习近平总书记在文化传承发展座谈会上明确了文化建设方面的“十四个强调”，并对中华优秀传统文化的重要元素作出精辟概括，深入阐述了中华文明突出的连续性、创新性、统一性、包容性、和平性，彰显了中华文明有源有流、有根有脉的自信之基，与时偕行、革故鼎新的自强之道，昭示了中华民族在世界文化激荡中自立自强的突出优势。相较于世界上其他民族国家，几千年来中华民族尽管经历多次危机，但每一次都能浴火重生，焕发出勃勃生机。这正在于统一的思想文化，给予中华民族的强大生命力和创造力，也铸就了中华民族坚不可摧的凝聚力和向心力。“在5000多年文明发展中孕育的中华优秀传统文化，在党和人民伟大斗争中孕育的革命文化和社会主义先进文化，积淀着中华民族最深层的精神追求，代表着中华民族独特的精神标识。”中国形成了统一的多民族、拥有14亿多人口而又精神上文化上高度团结统一的国家，这在世界上是独一无二的。中国连绵几千年发展至今的历史从未中断过，形成了独具特色、博大精深的价值观念和文明体系，这在世界上是独一无二的。追求统一，已成为我们的生活方式和思想方式，也是我们的价值观。英国历史学家汤因比曾说：“就中国人来说，几千年来，比世界任何民族都成功地把几亿民众，从政治、文化上团结起来。他们显示出这种在政治、文化上统一的本领，具有无与伦比的成功经验。”历史川流不息，精神代代相传。“精神是一个民族赖以长久生存的灵魂，唯有精神上达到一定的高度，这个民族才能在历史的洪流中屹立不倒、奋勇向前”。正如我们在党的百年发展历史过程中形成的“坚持真理、坚守理想，践行初心、担当使命，不怕牺牲、英勇斗争，对党忠诚、不负人民”的伟大建党精神，既是我们百年奋斗历程的写照，更是我们团结奋斗成功的精神密码。

Since the New Era, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has closely focused on the strategic goal of building a socialist cultural power, holding high the banner, gathering the people’s hearts, cultivating new generations, promoting culture, and presenting a good image, thereby demonstrating the strong vitality of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The Party, the military, and the people are unprecedentedly united and inspired, cultural confidence has been significantly enhanced, and cultural self-consciousness has been further strengthened, providing a more proactive spiritual force for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Regarding propaganda, ideology, and cultural work, the frequency of meetings convened by the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the comprehensiveness of the decisions and deployments made, and the richness, systematicity, profundity, and weight of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s expositions are rare in the Party’s history

新时代以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央紧紧围绕建设社会主义文化强国的战略目标，举旗帜、聚民心、育新人、兴文化、展形象，彰显了中国特色社会主义的强大生机活力，党心军心民心空前凝聚振奋，文化自信显著增强，文化自觉得到进一步强化，为实现中华民族伟大复兴提供了更为主动的精神力量。围绕宣传思想文化工作，以习近平同志为核心的党中央召开的会议之密集、作出的决策部署之全面，习近平总书记论述之丰富系统、深刻厚重，在党的历史上是不多见的。习近平总书记准确把握世界范围内思想文化相互激荡、我国社会思想观念深刻变化的趋势，以马克思主义政治家、思想家、战略家的历史主动精神、非凡理论勇气、卓越政治智慧、强烈使命担当，把宣传思想文化工作摆在治国理政的重要位置，亲自谋划、亲自部署、亲自推动，就文化建设一系列根本性问题阐明原则立场、廓清理论是非、指明奋进方向，提出了一系列新思想新观点新论断。

General Secretary Xi Jinping’s new ideas, new viewpoints, and new judgments on cultural construction in the New Era are the theoretical summary of the practical experience of the Party’s leadership in cultural construction in the New Era. They enrich and develop Marxist cultural theory, constitute the cultural chapter of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and form Xi Jinping’s cultural thought. Xi Jinping’s cultural thought not only contains innovations and breakthroughs in cultural theoretical viewpoints but also includes deployment requirements in the layout of cultural work. It clarifies the essence and applies it, integrating substance and function, and defines the roadmap and task book for cultural construction in the New Era. This marks that our Party’s understanding of the laws governing the construction of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics has reached a new height, indicates that our Party’s historical confidence and cultural confidence have reached a new height, and has demonstrated powerful force in the construction of our country’s socialist culture.

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，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。习近平文化思想既有文化理论观点上的创新和突破，又有文化工作布局上的部署要求，明体达用、体用贯通，明确了新时代文化建设的路线图和任务书，标志着我们党对中国特色社会主义文化建设规律的认识达到了新高度，表明我们党的历史自信、文化自信达到了新高度，并在我国社会主义文化建设中展现出了强大伟力。

General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: “We are carrying out a great struggle with many new historical features. The challenges and difficulties we face are unprecedented. We must persist in consolidating and strengthening the mainstream ideological public opinion, promote the main theme, spread positive energy, and stimulate the powerful force of the whole society to unite and strive forward.” [11]11 This quotation is from Xi Jinping’s speech at the National Conference on Propaganda and Ideology Work on August 19, 2013. Facing the risks and challenges of the “Four Tests” and “Four Dangers,” [12]12 The “Four Tests” refer to tests of governance, reform and opening up, the market economy, and the external environment. The “Four Dangers” refer to the dangers of mental slackness, incompetence, disengagement from the people, and corruption. even “unimaginable stormy waves,” [13]13 This phrase is a paraphrase of a warning by Xi Jinping about severe challenges facing the Party and state. we must deeply comprehend the decisive significance of the “Two Establishments,” [14]14 The “Two Establishments” refer to establishing Xi Jinping’s core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and establishing the guiding position of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. resolutely achieve the “Two Upholds,” [15]15 The “Two Upholds” refer to upholding Xi Jinping’s core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and upholding the authority and centralized, unified leadership of the Party Central Committee. take Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as guidance, continuously strengthen the study, research, and interpretation of Xi Jinping’s cultural thought, deeply grasp the great significance, rich connotation, and practical requirements of Xi Jinping’s cultural thought, and consciously implement and apply them to all aspects and the entire process of propaganda, ideology, and cultural work. Propaganda, ideology, and cultural work is an extremely important task. Only by strengthening the Party’s comprehensive leadership over propaganda, ideology, and cultural work can we provide a strong political guarantee for taking on the new cultural mission. We must always focus on the central task and serve the overall situation, continuously strengthen propaganda, ideology, and cultural work. At the new historical starting point, we must continue to promote cultural prosperity, build a strong cultural country, and construct the modern civilization of the Chinese nation as the new cultural mission. We must strive to build a socialist ideology with strong cohesion and guiding force, strive to cultivate and practice the core socialist values, strive to enhance the communication, guidance, influence, and credibility of news and public opinion, strive to continue the Chinese cultural lineage and promote the creative transformation and innovative development of excellent traditional Chinese culture, strive to promote the flourishing development of cultural undertakings and cultural industries, strive to strengthen the construction of international communication capabilities and promote exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, fully stimulate the spiritual strength of the whole Party and the whole society to unite and strive forward and overcome difficulties, and continuously achieve new and greater victories for socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era with unified thinking, firm will, consistent action, and strong combat effectiveness.

习近平总书记强调：“我们正在进行具有许多新的历史特点的伟大斗争，面临的挑战和困难前所未有，必须坚持巩固壮大主流思想舆论，弘扬主旋律，传播正能量，激发全社会团结奋进的强大力量。”面对“四大考验”、“四种危险”的风险挑战甚至是“难以想象的惊涛骇浪”，需要我们深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，坚决做到“两个维护”，以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，持续加强对习近平文化思想的学习、研究、阐释，深刻把握习近平文化思想的重大意义、丰富内涵和实践要求，并自觉贯彻落实到宣传思想文化工作各方面和全过程。宣传思想文化工作是一项极端重要的工作。加强党对宣传思想文化工作的全面领导，才能为担负起新的文化使命提供坚强政治保证。要始终围绕中心、服务大局不断加强宣传思想文化工作，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这一新的文化使命，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，充分激发全党全社会团结奋进、攻坚克难的精神力量，以统一的思想、坚定的意志、一致的行动、强大的战斗力不断夺取新时代中国特色社会主义新的更大胜利。

(Author: Vice President of the Central Party School (National Academy of Governance))

（作者：中央党校〈国家行政学院〉副校长〈副院长〉）

Online Editor: Zhang Jian

网络编辑：张剑