Cultivating Patriotic Sentiments in Youth with Fine Traditional Chinese Culture

In September 2024, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out during an inspection in Baoji, Shaanxi, that the five-thousand-year history of Chinese civilization requires further excavation, in-depth research, and interpretation of its connotations and spirit, and the great wisdom it contains must be well publicized, so that people may revere and love it all the more, enhance their pride in Chinese civilization, promote the spirit of patriotism, and pass down fine traditional Chinese culture from generation to generation. The *Law of the People’s Republic of China on Patriotic Education*, which came into effect on January 1 this year, emphasizes the integration of patriotic education with fine traditional Chinese culture from multiple dimensions, including general provisions, duties and tasks, and implementation measures. On the new journey of the New Era, cultivating patriotic sentiments in youth with fine traditional Chinese culture has important value at both the theoretical and practical levels.

2024年9月，习近平总书记在陕西宝鸡考察时指出，中华文明五千年，还要进一步挖掘，深入研究、阐释它的内涵和精神，宣传好其中蕴含的伟大智慧，从而让大家更加尊崇热爱，增强对中华文明的自豪感，弘扬爱国主义精神，把中华优秀传统文化一代一代传下去。今年1月1日起施行的《中华人民共和国爱国主义教育法》从总则、职责任务、实施措施等多个维度强调爱国主义教育与中华优秀传统文化的结合。新时代新征程，以中华优秀传统文化涵育青少年爱国情怀具有理论和现实层面的重要价值。

Fine traditional Chinese culture is the fertile cultural soil for nurturing the patriotic sentiments of the sons and daughters of China.

中华优秀传统文化是涵育中华儿女爱国情怀的文化沃土

Fine traditional Chinese culture is the spiritual bond that unites the Chinese nation; it is also the fertile cultural soil for nurturing the patriotic sentiments of the sons and daughters of China, and the profound foundation and inexhaustible source for young people to strengthen the “Four Confidences.” [1]1 The “Four Confidences” (四个自信) refers to confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

中华优秀传统文化是凝聚中华民族的精神纽带，更是涵育中华儿女爱国情怀的文化沃土，是青少年坚定“四个自信”的深厚底气和不竭源泉。

The sons and daughters of China have always revered patriotic acts and spirits such as “serving the country with utmost loyalty,” [2]2 “Serving the country with utmost loyalty” (精忠报国) is a phrase traditionally associated with the Song dynasty general Yue Fei, said to have been tattooed on his back by his mother. “dedicating oneself to the country,” [3]3 “Dedicating oneself to the country” (以身许国) is a classical idiom meaning to devote one’s life to the nation. “though in humble station, never forget concern for the country,” [4]4 “Though in humble station, never forget concern for the country” (位卑未敢忘忧国) is a line from the Song dynasty poet Lu You. and “if it benefits the country, I would sacrifice my life.” [5]5 “If it benefits the country, I would sacrifice my life” (苟利国家生死以) is a line from the Qing dynasty official Lin Zexu. Patriotism is the bloodline gene of Chinese civilization, which has a long and continuous history, and is the essence of fine traditional Chinese culture. Integrating the historical and cultural heritage of the Chinese nation with patriotic education, cultivating the spirit of patriotism with fine traditional Chinese culture, and promoting fine traditional Chinese culture through patriotic education play an important role in continuing the genes of Chinese civilization, manifesting the cultural confidence and self-strengthening of the Chinese nation, and promoting the flourishing development of socialist culture.

中华儿女历来尊崇“精忠报国”“以身许国”“位卑未敢忘忧国”“苟利国家生死以”等爱国行为和精神。爱国主义是中华文明源远流长的血脉基因，是中华优秀传统文化的精华。把中华民族历史文化传承同爱国主义教育融合起来，以中华优秀传统文化涵育爱国主义精神，以爱国主义教育弘扬中华优秀传统文化，对赓续中华文明基因，彰显中华民族文化自信自强，促进社会主义文化繁荣发展，具有重要作用。

Cultural identity is an important foundation for national identity and ethnic identity, a prerequisite for cultural confidence, and the deepest level of identity. Chinese culture is long-standing, profound, and extensive, engraving the common historical memory of the Chinese nation over more than 5,000 years and enriching the common spiritual world of the sons and daughters of China. Deeply excavating the resources of fine traditional Chinese culture and nurturing the profound sentiments of young people for loving the Party, loving the country, and loving socialism with the unique spiritual symbols and cultural genes of Chinese civilization can guide young people to strengthen their sense of belonging, identity, dignity, and honor toward the country and the nation, enhance ethnic identity and national identity, and firm up cultural confidence.

文化认同是国家认同、民族认同的重要基础，是文化自信的前提，是最深层次的认同。中华文化源远流长、博大精深，镌刻着中华民族5000多年的共同历史记忆，丰富着中华儿女的共同精神世界。深挖中华优秀传统文化资源，以中华文明独特的精神标识和文化基因涵养青少年爱党、爱国、爱社会主义的深厚情怀，能够引导青少年增强对国家和民族的归属感认同感尊严感荣誉感，增进民族认同、国家认同，坚定文化自信。

The Communist Party of China has always attached importance to cultural construction, emphasized the powerful force of culture in establishing the mind and soul, and highlighted the cultivation of virtue and the education of people through culture. Fine traditional Chinese culture contains rich spiritual and cultural wealth, which can significantly enhance the spiritual character and cultural literacy of young students, and further consolidate the ideological foundation for dedicating oneself to the great cause of building a strong country and rejuvenating the nation. Facing the current complex and ever-changing international and domestic situation, it is necessary to give full play to the important role of fine traditional Chinese culture in cultivating new generations capable of shouldering the great task of national rejuvenation, and to gather strong strength for Chinese-path modernization. The central authorities have successively issued important documents such as the *Outline for Improving Education on Fine Traditional Chinese Culture*, the *Guiding Opinions on Further Strengthening and Improving the Work of Chinese Culture Going Global*, the *Opinions on Implementing the Project for the Inheritance and Development of Fine Traditional Chinese Culture*, and the *Key Project Plan for the Inheritance and Development of Fine Traditional Chinese Culture during the 14th Five-Year Plan Period*. From the strategic height of the overall work of the Party and the state, these documents have made a series of important deployments on what stance and attitude to adopt toward fine traditional Chinese culture, what kind of culture to use to educate people, and what paths and methods to use to promote the cultivation of patriotic sentiments through fine traditional Chinese culture, outlining a strategic blueprint for promoting the spirit of patriotism and advancing the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture.

中国共产党历来重视文化建设，注重发挥文化立心立魂的强大力量，突出强调立德树人，以文化人。中华优秀传统文化孕育着丰厚的精神文化财富，能够显著提升广大青少年学生的精神品格和文化素养，进一步巩固投身强国建设、民族复兴伟业的思想基础。面对当前纷繁复杂的国际国内形势，必须发挥中华优秀传统文化在培养担当民族复兴重任的时代新人中的重要作用，为中国式现代化建设凝聚强大力量。中央先后出台《完善中华优秀传统文化教育指导纲要》《关于进一步加强和改进中华文化走出去工作的指导意见》《关于实施中华优秀传统文化传承发展工程的意见》《中华优秀传统文化传承发展工程“十四五”重点项目规划》等重要文件，从党和国家事业发展全局战略高度，对以什么样的立场和态度对待中华优秀传统文化，用什么样的文化来育人，以什么样的路径和方式推进优秀传统文化涵育爱国情怀作出一系列重要部署，擘画出弘扬爱国主义精神，推进中华优秀传统文化创造性转化、创新性发展的战略蓝图。

The main connotations of cultivating patriotic sentiments with fine traditional Chinese culture

以中华优秀传统文化涵育爱国情怀的主要内涵

The general provisions of the *Law of the People’s Republic of China on Patriotic Education* stipulate that patriotic education covers historical, cultural, political, and other aspects, including fine traditional Chinese culture. Based on these contents, it is necessary to deeply analyze and accurately grasp the main connotations of cultivating patriotic sentiments with fine traditional Chinese culture, and take this as an important foundation and main lever for advancing the work.

《中华人民共和国爱国主义教育法》总则规定，爱国主义教育涵盖包括中华优秀传统文化在内的历史、文化、政治等方面的内容。应依据这些内容，深入分析并准确把握以中华优秀传统文化涵育爱国情怀的主要内涵，将之作为推进工作的重要基础和主要抓手。

Cultivate deep feelings for family and country, and sharpen the will to strengthen the country. Deep feelings for family and country and a profound historical consciousness are the spiritual support for the Chinese nation to continuously revive after countless hardships and dangers. Family and country are connected; the fate of the family is tied to the fate of the motherland. Feelings for family and country are the spiritual code for the survival and development of the Chinese nation, and also the essence of fine traditional Chinese culture. China’s tradition of emphasizing the unity of family and country has a long history. *Mencius* states, “The foundation of the world lies in the state, the foundation of the state lies in the family, and the foundation of the family lies in the self,” [6]6 This is a passage from the *Mencius* (《孟子》), specifically from the chapter “Li Lou I” (离娄上). and the *Book of Rites* says, “All under heaven are one family,” [7]7 “All under heaven are one family” (天下一家) is a phrase from the *Book of Rites* (《礼记》), specifically the chapter “Li Yun” (礼运). both emphasizing that family and country form a whole. Loving the motherland and cultivating deep feelings for family and country are the foundation of young people’s growth and the root of their struggle. Enhancing young people’s sense of mission and responsibility for shouldering the great task of national rejuvenation is the spiritual code for striving to build a great modern socialist country.

厚植家国情怀，砥砺强国之志。深厚的家国情怀与深沉的历史意识，是中华民族历经千难万险而不断复兴的精神支撑。家与国相连，家庭命运与祖国命运相牵，家国情怀是中华民族存续发展的精神密码，也是中华优秀传统文化的精髓所在。我国注重家国一体的理念传统源远流长，《孟子》“天下之本在国，国之本在家，家之本在身”，《礼记》“天下一家”等都强调家与国为一个整体。热爱祖国、厚植家国情怀是青少年成长之基、奋斗之本，增强青少年担当民族复兴重任的使命感、责任感，是建设社会主义现代化强国而砥砺奋斗的精神密码。

Dedicate to unity and dedication, and forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation. “Great unity” [8]8 “Great unity” (大一统) is a classical Chinese political concept emphasizing the unification and centralization of the realm. has always been an important value pursuit of the Chinese nation. The term “great unity” first appeared in the *Gongyang Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals*: “Why speak of the king’s first month? It is great unity.” [9]9 This is a passage from the *Gongyang Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals* (《春秋公羊传》), specifically the first year of Duke Yin. The *Book of Han: Biography of Wang Ji* again mentions, “The reason the *Spring and Autumn Annals* values great unity is that the six directions share the same customs, and the nine provinces are connected by a common thread,” [10]10 This is a passage from the *Book of Han* (《汉书》), specifically the biography of Wang Ji (王吉传). indicating the importance attached to the concept of “great unity.” The sense of community for the Chinese nation is the contemporary continuation and development of the “great unity” thought of Chinese culture, and is the spiritual bond for the national identity, political identity, cultural identity, and emotional identity of people of all ethnic groups. Inheriting the concept of “great unity” helps to inspire young people to consciously link their own future with the fate of the motherland, and to strengthen their determination and confidence in realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

矢志团结奉献，铸牢中华民族共同体意识。“大一统”始终是中华民族的重要价值追求。“大一统”一词最早出现于《春秋公羊传》“何言乎王正月，大一统也”。《汉书·王吉传》再次提到“《春秋》所以大一统者，六合同风，九州共贯也”，表明对“大一统”理念的重视。中华民族共同体意识是中华文化“大一统”思想在当代的延续与发展，是各族人民国家认同、政治认同、文化认同、情感认同的精神纽带。传承“大一统”理念，有助于激发青少年自觉将自身前途与祖国命运相连，坚定实现中华民族伟大复兴的决心和信心。

Continue to strive and innovate, and temper the character of responsibility and enterprise. The *Book of Changes* says, “As heaven’s movement is ever vigorous, so must a gentleman ceaselessly strive for self-improvement,” [11]11 This is a line from the *Book of Changes* (《周易》), specifically the commentary on the first hexagram, Qian (乾). and the *Doctrine of the Mean* states, “If another succeeds with one effort, I will with a hundred; if another succeeds with ten efforts, I will with a thousand.” [12]12 This is a passage from the *Doctrine of the Mean* (《中庸》), chapter 20. Both take encouraging people to be broad-minded, resolute, diligent, and striving as their core ideas, and are portrayals of the Chinese nation’s indomitable and enterprising spirit. To realize the grand goal of building a strong country and rejuvenating the nation, it is necessary to promote the fine tradition of self-strengthening, enterprise, innovation, and struggle. This is conducive to young people establishing a correct view of the country and a correct view of struggle, tempering their will and character, drawing strength and courage for enterprising struggle from fine traditional Chinese culture, and devoting themselves to the practice of reform and innovation with a sense of responsibility and urgency that “time waits for no one” and “seize the day, seize the hour,” [13]13 “Time waits for no one” (时不我待) and “seize the day, seize the hour” (只争朝夕) are common Chinese idioms urging prompt action. stepping up to shoulder responsibility and dedicating themselves to the country.

接续奋斗创新，锤炼担当进取品格。《周易》“天行健，君子以自强不息”，《中庸》中“人一能之，己百之；人十能之，己千之”，都以激励人弘毅致远、勤学奋斗为核心思想，是对中华民族坚韧不拔、拼搏奋进精神的写照。实现强国建设、民族复兴的宏伟目标，必须弘扬自强进取、创新奋斗的优良传统，这有利于青少年树立正确国家观、奋斗观，锤炼意志品质，从中华优秀传统文化中汲取奋发进取的力量勇气，以时不我待、只争朝夕的责任感、紧迫感投身改革创新的实践，挺膺担当，奉献国家。

Cultivate the concept of harmony, and uphold the tradition of openness and inclusiveness. Since ancient times, the Chinese nation has had the value orientation of “those who are similar are close to each other, those who are different respect each other,” [14]14 “Those who are similar are close to each other, those who are different respect each other” (同则相亲，异则相敬) is a classical expression of harmonious coexistence. and has revered harmonious ideas such as “harmony is most precious,” [15]15 “Harmony is most precious” (以和为贵) is a phrase from the *Analects* (《论语》), specifically Book 1, Chapter 12. “a harmonious family brings prosperity,” [16]16 “A harmonious family brings prosperity” (家和万事兴) is a common Chinese proverb. and “turn swords into plowshares.” [17]17 “Turn swords into plowshares” (化干戈为玉帛) is a classical idiom meaning to replace conflict with peace. The *Analects* says, “Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself,” [18]18 This is a passage from the *Analects* (《论语》), specifically Book 15, Chapter 24. and the *Doctrine of the Mean* states, “All things are nurtured together without harming each other, and the ways of the world proceed in parallel without contradicting each other.” [19]19 This is a passage from the *Doctrine of the Mean* (《中庸》), chapter 30. The connotations and extensions of these ideas have been continuously enriched in historical development, shaping the inherent characteristics of the Chinese nation: openness, inclusiveness, benevolence toward neighbors, and good-neighborliness. The concepts of integrity, friendliness, mutual assistance, and harmony contained in the traditional view of harmony are also basic requirements of the core socialist values. Inheriting the concept of harmony from fine traditional Chinese culture is conducive to cultivating good young people of the New Era who have ideals, dare to take responsibility, can endure hardship, and are willing to struggle.

培养和谐理念，秉承开放包容传统。中华民族自古就有“同则相亲，异则相敬”的价值取向，推崇“以和为贵”“家和万事兴”“化干戈为玉帛”等和谐思想。《论语》“己所不欲，勿施于人”，《礼记·中庸》“万物并育而不相害，道并行而不相悖”等思想在历史发展中内涵外延不断丰富，塑造了中华民族开放包容、亲仁善邻的内在特质。传统和谐观中包含的诚信、友善、互助、和睦的理念，也是社会主义核心价值观的基本要求。传承中华优秀传统文化中的和谐理念，有利于培养有理想、敢担当、能吃苦、肯奋斗的新时代好青年。

Build a cultivation system for nurturing patriotic sentiments with fine traditional Chinese culture

打造以中华优秀传统文化涵育爱国情怀的培养体系

Patriotic education is a systematic project. It must follow the ideological characteristics and growth patterns of young people, combine the characteristics of the new era, adhere to a problem-oriented approach, and make coordinated efforts from multiple aspects such as system mechanisms, content points, and path forms, advancing systematically to form a three-dimensional and precise cultivation system for nurturing patriotic sentiments in youth with fine traditional Chinese culture.

爱国主义教育是一个系统工程，必须遵循青少年思想特点和成长规律，结合新的时代特点，坚持问题导向，从体系机制、内容要点、路径形式等多方面协同发力，系统推进，形成以中华优秀传统文化涵育青少年爱国情怀立体化、精准化的培养体系。

Improve the cultivation system. Further improve the cultivation system featuring close cooperation among multiple subjects and coordinated development in multiple aspects, and accelerate the construction of a new comprehensive education pattern for the “grand ideological and political courses”[20] that integrates in-class and after-class activities, links schools and society, and merges online and offline platforms. Schools at all levels and of all types should integrate patriotic education throughout the entire process of school education, strengthen the connection and integration between fine traditional culture and other disciplines, and enhance the interaction between patriotic education and different subjects. Based on the characteristics of students at different ages, determine the key content of patriotic education, and build a content system that is well-articulated, scientific, reasonable, complete, and systematic across primary, secondary, and higher education. Strengthen supervision and accountability, improve the evaluation system, examine the effectiveness of practice, and continuously create a favorable social atmosphere for supporting the cultivation of patriotic sentiments in young people through fine traditional culture.

完善涵育体系。进一步完善多主体密切合作、多方面协同发展的涵育体系，加快构建课上课下协同、校内校外联动、网上网下融合的“大思政课”全面育人新格局。各级各类学校要把爱国主义教育贯穿学校教育全过程，加强优秀传统文化与其他学科之间的联系融通，增进爱国主义教育与不同学科的互动。针对各年龄段学生特点，确定爱国主义教育重点内容，打造大中小一体化衔接有序、科学合理、完整系统的内容体系。强化督导和问责，健全评价体系，检视实践成效，持续营造全社会支持优秀传统文化涵育青少年爱国情怀的良好氛围。

Expand the cultivation content. Make good use of the “rich mine” of fine traditional Chinese culture, closely focus on the historical, cultural, and political content covered by patriotic education, and prominently promote education on the “Four Histories”[21] with Party history education as the key point. Advance young people’s in-depth understanding of the country’s history, culture, and actual national conditions, use history as a mirror and clarify aspirations through history, know the Party and love the country through history, and enhance historical consciousness and historical confidence. Extensively publicize the patriotic sentiments and patriotic behaviors of outstanding talents in various fields who cherish the motherland, serve the people, and win glory for the country. Carry out activities inviting heroes, model workers, and other exemplary figures into schools. Guide young people to inherit and carry forward the fine traditional virtues of the Chinese nation, cultivate civilized qualities, improve their own abilities, and strive with vigor and scale new heights on the new journey[22].

拓展涵育内容。用好中华优秀传统文化这一“富矿”，紧扣爱国主义教育所涵盖的历史、文化、政治等内容，突出抓好以党史教育为重点的“四史”教育，推进青少年深入了解祖国历史文化和现实国情，以史为镜、以史明志，知史爱党、知史爱国，增强历史自觉和历史自信。广泛宣传各领域优秀人才胸怀祖国、服务人民、为国争光的爱国情感和爱国行为，开展英雄、劳模等榜样人物进校园活动，引导青少年继承和弘扬中华优秀传统美德，涵育文明素养，提高自身本领，在新征程中奋发有为，勇攀高峰。

Enrich the cultivation pathways. Combine classroom teaching with extracurricular practice, and integrate the content of patriotic education into campus cultural construction and various themed activities in schools. Utilize the patriotic spirit embodied in museums, cultural relics and historic sites, and places of origin of cultural heritage to guide young people to appreciate the magnificent landscapes of the motherland during tours, experience the long history and splendid culture, and stimulate patriotic enthusiasm. Scientifically apply modern art forms and new media platforms, and through art and cultural forms favored by young people, such as animation, musicals, stage plays, art exhibitions, and ritual performances, stimulate emotional resonance in immersive experiences. Relying on new media platforms with high youth activity, encourage young people to express patriotic sentiments through short videos, comics, online articles, etc., guide young people to enhance their national pride and cultural confidence, and jointly sing the powerful era slogan “a strong country has me”[23].

丰富涵育路径。把课堂教学与课外实践相结合，把爱国主义教育内容融入校园文化建设和学校各类主题活动。利用博物馆、文物古迹、文化传承发源地等蕴含的爱国主义精神，引导青少年在游览中领略祖国壮美河山，感受悠久历史和灿烂文化，激发爱国热情。科学运用现代艺术形式和新媒体平台，通过青少年喜爱的文化艺术形式，如动漫、音乐剧、舞台剧、艺术展览、礼仪展演等，在沉浸式体验中激发情感共鸣。依托青少年活跃度较高的新媒体平台，鼓励青少年通过短视频、漫画、网络文章等表达爱国情感，引导青少年增强民族自豪感和文化自信心，合力唱响“强国有我”的时代强音。

(Author: Lan Xiaoxia, researcher at the Beijing Research Center for Xi Jinping

（作者：蓝晓霞，系北京市习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想研究中心研究员、北京交通大学马克思主义学院教授）

Source: Guangming Daily, October 21, 2024, page 06

文章来源：《光明日报》2024年10月21日 06版

Online editor: Huihui

网络编辑：慧慧