Cultivating Core Socialist Values with Fine Traditional Chinese Culture

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly mentioned cultivating core socialist values with fine traditional Chinese culture. He emphasized: “Fine traditional Chinese culture is the spiritual lifeblood of the Chinese nation, an important source for cultivating core socialist values, and a solid foundation for us to stand firm amidst the world’s cultural currents.” This statement profoundly reveals the intrinsic connection between fine traditional Chinese culture and core socialist values. Fine traditional Chinese culture is the root of core socialist values; the rich moral concepts, humanistic spirit, and educational ideas it contains have laid a solid foundation for the nurturing and development of core socialist values, injecting strong cultural momentum into the role of core values in leading social customs, gathering social beliefs, and promoting social progress.

党的十八大以来，习近平总书记多次提到以中华优秀传统文化涵养社会主义核心价值观，他强调：“中华优秀传统文化是中华民族的精神命脉，是涵养社会主义核心价值观的重要源泉，也是我们在世界文化激荡中站稳脚跟的坚实根基。”这句话深刻揭示了中华优秀传统文化与社会主义核心价值观之间的内在联系。中华优秀传统文化是社会主义核心价值观的根脉，其所蕴含的丰富道德理念、人文精神、教化思想，为社会主义核心价值观的涵育与发展奠定了坚实基础，为发挥核心价值观、引领社会风尚、汇聚社会信仰和推动社会进步的作用注入了强大文化动力。

Grasp the Core Requirements and Clarify the Mission of the Times

把握核心要求 明确时代使命

To deepen the scientific understanding of “cultivating core socialist values with fine traditional Chinese culture,” it is essential to prioritize systematically comprehending the core requirements and clarifying the mission and tasks. This is the cornerstone and guide for accurately grasping its intrinsic connection with core socialist values and ensuring the correctness and effectiveness of the cultivation direction.

深化对“以中华优秀传统文化涵养社会主义核心价值观”的科学认知，要把系统理解核心要求、明确使命任务放在首位，这是精准把握其与社会主义核心价值观的内在联系、确保涵养方向的正确性与有效性的基石与指南。

Thoroughly implement Xi Jinping Thought on Culture. Xi Jinping Thought on Culture is the most fundamental guideline and major strategy for guiding social development in the cultural field. General Secretary Xi Jinping, from the strategic height of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, has summarized the Party’s historical experience in leading cultural construction and creatively put forward the major thesis of the Second Integration, enabling us to gain historical initiative and ideological-cultural initiative and pushing modernization from “being-in-itself” toward “being-for-itself.” [1]1 "The world is for all" (天下为公, tianxia wei gong): A classical Confucian ideal from the *Book of Rites* (*Liji*), envisioning a society where public spirit prevails over private interests. Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, the new explorations in comprehensively deepening reform in the cultural field have become more expansive in strategic thinking, clearer in reform ideas, and more powerful in construction actions, setting a direction, charting a roadmap, and injecting new momentum for further leveraging the role of fine traditional Chinese culture in enlightening the mind and wisdom and the role of core socialist values in uniting the people. To bring Xi Jinping Thought on Culture into play, it must

深入贯彻习近平文化思想。习近平文化思想是文化领域指导社会发展的最根本指针和重大方略。习近平总书记站在中华民族伟大复兴的战略高度总结党领导文化建设的历史经验，创造性提出“第二个结合”重大论断，使我们掌握了历史主动和思想文化主动，助推现代化建设从“自在”走向“自觉”。在习近平文化思想的指导下，全面深化改革在文化领域的新探索战略思维更加宏阔、改革思路更加清晰、建设行动更具力量，为进一步发挥中华优秀传统文化启心润智的作用和社会主义核心价值观凝聚民心的作用树立了方向标、规划了路线图、注入了新动力。为发挥习近平文化思想的作用，就必须将习近平文化思想落到实处。培育和践行社会主义核心价值观，是习近平文化思想的重要组成部分。“以中华优秀传统文化涵养社会主义核心价值观”，从传统文化的创造性转化与创新性发展视角出发，既为价值观的孕育与践行开辟了崭新路径，又为传统文化的再生与发展奠定了坚实基础。二者相得益彰，使价值观的引领功能与文化的育人属性得以充分发挥，彰显出习近平文化思想的强大生命力和“明体达用、体用贯通”的鲜明理论品格。

Empowering Chinese-path modernization. Further deepening reform comprehensively and advancing Chinese-path modernization are our current major themes. As comprehensive deepening reform enters the deep-water zone, strengthening cultural-ethical progress has been placed on the agenda, both to provide solid support for the vigorous development of material civilization and to guide the steady progress of Chinese-path modernization from the value level. To this end, we must strive to excavate the ideological essence of fine traditional Chinese culture, constantly nourish the national spirit, cultivate core socialist values, and, by relying on firm cultural confidence and value confidence, deeply participate in modernization construction, fully demonstrating the spiritual style of the Chinese people on the international stage.

赋能中国式现代化建设。进一步全面深化改革、推进中国式现代化是我们当前的重大主题。伴随全面深化改革步入深水区，加强精神文明建设被提上日程，既要为物质文明的蓬勃发展提供坚实支撑，又要从价值层面引领中国式现代化稳健前行。为此，我们必须竭力挖掘中华优秀传统文化的思想精华，不断滋养民族精神，培育社会主义核心价值观，凭借坚定的文化自信和价值自信，深度参与现代化建设，在国际舞台上充分彰显中华儿女的精神风采。

Building the spiritual high ground of the Chinese nation. Civilization is the backbone of a nation; it not only shapes the nation's spiritual outlook but also provides the nation with solid and lasting spiritual support and internal driving force. Fine traditional Chinese culture contains the genetic code of national wisdom and spirit, while core socialist values are the concentrated embodiment of contemporary Chinese spirit, guiding social trends and the direction of national development. On the basis of inheriting tradition, we must adopt an open and inclusive attitude to absorb the beneficial achievements of world civilizations and promote the innovative development of culture. This is not only a natural continuation of cultural inheritance but also an inevitable requirement of the development of the times. Through such integration and sublimation, we can endow traditional culture with new vitality, while at the same time making core socialist values more deeply rooted in people's hearts, jointly building the spiritual high ground of the Chinese nation, and leading the country toward a more brilliant future.

构筑起中华民族的精神高地。文明是一个民族的脊梁，它不仅塑造民族的精神风貌，还为民族提供坚实且持久的精神支撑与内在动力。中华优秀传统文化蕴含着民族智慧与精神的基因密码，而社会主义核心价值观则是当代中国精神的集中体现，引领着社会风尚与国家发展方向。我们要在继承传统的基础上，以开放包容的姿态吸纳世界文明的有益成果，推动文化的创新发展。这不仅是文化传承的自然延续，更是时代发展的必然要求。通过这样的融合与升华，我们能够赋予传统文化新的生命力，同时使社会主义核心价值观更加深入人心，共同构筑起中华民族的精神高地，引领国家走向更加辉煌的未来。

Exploring Connotations and Implications, Confirming Value Orientation

探究内涵意蕴 确认价值定位

The values of fine traditional Chinese culture are highly consistent with the value pursuit of core socialist values. Only by deeply understanding the internal connection between fine traditional Chinese culture and core socialist values, and clarifying the points of integration between the two in terms of conceptual connotation, practical adherence, and value orientation, can we accurately grasp their value orientation, and then effectively utilize traditional cultural resources to cultivate and practice core socialist values.

中华优秀传统文化的价值观念与社会主义核心价值观的价值追求高度契合。只有深刻理解中华优秀传统文化与社会主义核心价值观的内在联系，从理念内涵、实践遵循和价值指归明确二者的交融点，才能精准把握其价值定位，进而有效利用传统文化资源，培育和践行社会主义核心价值观。

Adhering to the lofty ideal of "communism" within the "Great Way." The integration of the "Great Way" and the lofty ideal of "communism" profoundly reflects the harmonious unity of fine traditional Chinese culture and Marxist theory. The value of "the world is for all" in fine traditional Chinese culture embodies the ancients' pursuit of social justice and the principle of putting the people first, which coincides with the goals of communism to eliminate exploitation, eradicate class differences, and achieve common prosperity. The "Great Way" reveals a transcendent value pursuit, that is, transcending individual self-interest and pursuing the harmony and common prosperity of the entire society. This value pursuit aligns with the collectivist spirit in the communist ideal, emphasizing the dialectical unity of the individual for society and society for the individual. Therefore, when we adhere to the lofty ideal of communism, we are in fact realizing the modern transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture at a higher level. The two complement each other and jointly guide the development of human society forward.

在“大道之行”中坚守“共产主义”的远大理想。“大道之行”与“共产主义”远大理想的交融，深刻体现了中华优秀传统文化与马克思主义理论的和谐统一。中华优秀传统文化中“天下为公”的价值观，体现了古人对于社会公正、人民至上理念的追求，与共产主义理想中消灭剥削、消除阶级差异、实现共同富裕的目标不谋而合。“大道之行”揭示了一种超越性的价值追求，即超越个人的私利，追求整个社会的和谐与共荣。这种价值追求与共产主义理想中的集体主义精神相契合，强调个体为社会、社会为个体的辩证统一。因此，当我们坚守共产主义远大理想时，实际上是在更高的层次上实现了中华优秀传统文化的现代转化和创新性发展，二者相得益彰，共同指引着人类社会向前发展。

Advancing the great practice of the "Second Integration" within "seeking truth from facts." "Seeking truth from facts" is not only a concrete manifestation of the unique mode of thinking of the Chinese nation and the internal logic of contemporary China's development, but also a profound insight into the fundamental method by which humanity understands and transforms the world. It transcends subjective assumptions and blind worship, pointing to respect for and adherence to objective laws. This is internally consistent with the concept advocated by the "Second Integration" of innovating on the basis of inheriting fine traditional Chinese culture in conjunction with the development of the times. From a philosophical perspective, "seeking truth from facts" reveals an epistemology of dialectical materialism, that is, testing truth through practice and guiding practice through truth. This epistemology aligns with the principle of combining theory with practice required by the "Second Integration," both emphasizing respecting laws, daring to innovate, seeking truth, and developing truth in the ever-changing social practice. Therefore, as an important connotation and value orientation of fine traditional Chinese culture, "seeking truth from facts" not only carries the wisdom of history but also opens up deep thinking about the future, leading us to advance steadily on the great journey of building Chinese-path modernization.

在“实事求是”中推进“第二个结合”的伟大实践。“实事求是”不仅是中华民族独特的思维方式与当代中国发展的内在逻辑的具体体现，更是对人类认识世界、改造世界的根本方法的深刻洞察。它超越了主观臆断和盲目崇拜，指向了对客观规律的尊重和遵循，这与“第二个结合”所倡导的在继承中华优秀传统文化的基础上，结合时代发展进行创新的理念有着内在的一致性。从哲学角度看，“实事求是”揭示了一种辩证唯物主义的认识论，即通过实践去检验真理，通过真理去指导实践。这种认识论与“第二个结合”所要求的理论与实践相结合的原则相契合，都强调在不断变化的社会实践中尊重规律、勇于创新、寻求真理、发展真理。因此，“实事求是”作为中华优秀传统文化重要的内涵意蕴和价值定位，不仅承载着历史的智慧，更开启了对未来的深思，将引领我们在建设中国式现代化的伟大征程中稳健迈进。

In “embracing the world with a broad mind” we compose the magnificent chapter of “a community with a shared future for mankind.” The fusion of the concepts “embracing the world with a broad mind” and “a community with a shared future for mankind” profoundly demonstrates the high degree of alignment between the broad vision of fine traditional Chinese culture and the developmental trends of today’s world. “Embracing the world with a broad mind” embodies the inclusiveness and worldview that the Chinese nation has possessed since ancient times, and this cultural heritage is deeply rooted in the spiritual world of the Chinese nation. The reason it can guide the construction of “a community with a shared future for mankind” is that it advocates a broad-minded concern that transcends national borders and attends to the well-being of all humanity. In today’s era of globalization, the ties between countries are increasingly close, and the common challenges they face are also growing. The spirit of “embracing the world with a broad mind” is particularly important in this context. In terms of value orientation, both “embracing the world with a broad mind” and the concept of “a community with a shared future for mankind” emphasize a holistic and integrated mode of thinking: only when all countries work together can win-win sharing be achieved. This value orientation is precisely the ideological foundation for promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. Therefore, the fine traditional Chinese cultural concept of “embracing the world with a broad mind” is not only a spiritual force for uniting people internally but also an important support for presenting China’s image as a responsible major country externally. By promoting the spirit of “embracing the world with a broad mind,” we can compose the magnificent chapter of “a community with a shared future for mankind” on a broader stage, contributing Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions to world peace and development.

在“胸怀天下”中谱写“命运共同体”瑰丽篇章。“胸怀天下”与“命运共同体”的理念交融，深刻展现了中华优秀传统文化的广阔视野与当今世界发展趋势的高度契合。“胸怀天下”体现了中华民族自古以来就有的包容性与天下观，这种文化底蕴深深根植于中华民族的精神世界。其之所以能引导“命运共同体”的构建，是因为它倡导了一种超越国界、关注全人类福祉的广阔胸怀。在全球化的今天，各国间的联系日益紧密，共同面临的挑战也日益增多，“胸怀天下”的精神在此背景下显得尤为重要。在价值定位上，“胸怀天下”与“命运共同体”理念都强调了一种全局性、整体性的思维方式，只有各国携手合作，才能实现共赢共享。这种价值导向正是推动构建人类命运共同体的思想基础。因此，“胸怀天下”的中华优秀传统文化理念，不仅是对内凝聚人心的精神力量，更是对外展现中国负责任大国形象的重要支撑。通过弘扬“胸怀天下”的精神，我们能够在更广阔的舞台上谱写“命运共同体”的瑰丽篇章，为世界和平与发展贡献中国智慧和中国方案。

Follow the Practical Path and Explore Ways to Deepen It

遵循实践进路 探索深化路径

To deepen the practice of “nourishing core socialist values with fine traditional Chinese culture,” we must firmly uphold the guiding role of Marxism in the field of ideology, continuously strengthen the political stance of core socialist values, implement the innovative path of the Second Integration [2]2 The Second Integration refers to the integration of the basic tenets of Marxism with fine traditional Chinese culture, as proposed by Xi Jinping., accumulate a deep traditional cultural foundation for values, and at the same time closely adhere to the theme of advancing Chinese-path modernization, improve the institutional mechanisms for cultivating and practicing core socialist values, and make them a long-term mechanism empowering Chinese-path modernization.

深化“以中华优秀传统文化涵养社会主义核心价值观”的实践，应当牢牢坚持马克思主义在意识形态领域指导地位，不断强化社会主义核心价值观的政治立场，贯彻“第二个结合”创新路径，厚积价值观的传统文化底蕴，同时紧扣推进中国式现代化主题，完善培育和践行社会主义核心价值观的制度机制，使其成为赋能中国式现代化的长久机制。

Uphold the guiding role of Marxism in the field of ideology and maintain a clear and firm political stance. This concerns not only the security and stability of national ideology but is also a fundamental principle of socialist cultural construction. Specifically, we should proceed from the following aspects. First, continuously deepen the study and research of the basic principles of Marxism. The reason the Party has been able to lead the people to victory in ideological struggles “lies fundamentally in mastering the scientific theory of Marxism and continuously combining it with new realities to advance theoretical innovation.” [3]3 This is a quotation from a speech by Xi Jinping, emphasizing the importance of theoretical innovation based on Marxism. Therefore, we must grasp the essence and substance of Marxism, accurately grasp the direction in ideological work, and guide trends of thought. Second, closely integrate fine traditional Chinese culture, explore its inherent points of convergence with core socialist values, and through innovative methods and approaches, merge the wisdom of traditional culture with the core of values, making it easier for the broad masses to identify with and accept. Finally, we must also strengthen the construction and management of ideological positions, firmly grasp the leadership, management, and discourse power of ideological work, ensure that core socialist values can play a leading role amid diverse social trends of thought, and at the same time, we must unswervingly use Xi Jinping Thought on Culture [4]4 Xi Jinping Thought on Culture is a component of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, focusing on cultural development. to arm the entire Party and educate the people, effectively achieving learning with faith, application, and action, leading the work of nourishing values to a new level, presenting new features and new changes.

坚持马克思主义在意识形态领域的指导地位、坚定鲜明的政治立场。这不仅关乎国家意识形态的安全与稳定，更是社会主义文化建设的根本原则。具体而言，我们应从以下几个方面着手。首先，持续深化对马克思主义基本原理的学习与研究。党之所以能领导人民在意识形态斗争中取得胜利，“根本在于掌握了马克思主义科学理论，并不断结合新的实际推进理论创新”。因此，必须掌握马克思主义的精髓与实质，在意识形态工作中准确把握方向、引领思潮。其次，紧密结合中华优秀传统文化，探寻其与社会主义核心价值观的内在契合点，通过创新的方式方法，将传统文化的智慧与价值观的内核相融合，使之更易于被广大人民所认同与接受。最后，我们还需加强阵地建设与管理，牢牢掌握意识形态工作的领导权、管理权和话语权，确保社会主义核心价值观能够在多样化的社会思潮中发挥主导作用，同时，必须坚持不懈用习近平文化思想武装全党、教育人民，切实做到学而信、学而用、学而行，引领价值观涵育工作再上新台阶，呈现新气象、新变化。

Implement the Second Integration and accumulate a deep traditional cultural foundation for values. Nourishing core socialist values with fine traditional Chinese culture ultimately starts from culture. Here we can consider the three aspects of timing, intensity, and effectiveness in the “creative transformation and innovative development” [5]5 “Creative transformation and innovative development” is a policy guideline for handling traditional Chinese culture, often abbreviated as “two creations” (两创). of fine traditional Chinese culture. “Timing” refers to opportunity and rhythm, “intensity” refers to force and measure, and “effectiveness” refers to results and practical outcomes. First, we must seize the opportunity for the “creative transformation and innovative development” of fine traditional Chinese culture, accelerate the practical pace of nourishing core socialist values with fine traditional Chinese culture, seize the high ground of cultural innovation, and use the transformation of traditional culture to aid modern development. Second, we must uphold the depth of thinking that “draws on past precedents and weighs new voices” [6]6 This is a classical Chinese phrase meaning to draw lessons from past events and adapt them to new circumstances. to deeply elucidate the modern value of fine traditional Chinese culture. We must both defend the standpoints, viewpoints, and methods of Marxism and the orthodoxy of fine traditional Chinese culture, and penetrate the mystery of the transformation between inheritance and innovation, striving to achieve the greatest depth of elucidation of the modern value of fine traditional Chinese culture. Finally, we must clarify the rational understanding of cultural subjectivity, establish and strengthen cultural confidence, implement the Second Integration, and consciously and actively participate in the practice of nourishing core socialist values with fine traditional Chinese culture.

贯彻“第二个结合”，厚积价值观的传统文化底蕴。以中华优秀传统文化涵养社会主义核心价值观，归根到底要从文化着手。这里可以从把握中华优秀传统文化“两创”的时、度、效三方面考虑。“时”就是时机、节奏，“度”就是力度、分寸，“效”就是效果、实效。首先，要把握中华优秀传统文化的“双创”先机，加快以中华优秀传统文化涵养社会主义核心价值观的实践脚步，抢占文化创新制高点，以传统文化转型助力现代化发展。其次，要秉持“资以故实，酌于新声”的思维深度阐发中华优秀传统文化的现代价值。既捍卫马克思主义的立场观点方法和中华优秀传统文化的道统，又参透继承和创新间的转换性奥秘，努力实现对中华优秀传统文化现代价值的最大深度阐发。最后，明确对文化主体性的理性认知，树立和坚定文化自信，贯彻落实“第二个结合”，自觉主动参与到以中华优秀传统文化涵养社会主义核心价值观的实践中。

Closely adhere to the theme of advancing Chinese-path modernization and improve the institutional mechanisms for cultivating and practicing core socialist values. On the grand journey of advancing Chinese-path modernization, improving the institutional mechanisms for cultivating and practicing core socialist values is a major task concerning the foundation of national development and the fate of national rejuvenation. We must uphold a systematic concept, deeply integrate multiple elements such as the rule of law, education, and culture, and build a comprehensive, multi-level value guidance system. Through the combination of the rigid constraints of the rule of law and flexible guidance, we must consolidate the institutional foundation of core values; through the coordination of deep penetration of education and practical cultivation, we must cultivate a deep soil for core socialist values; through the mutual promotion of cultural inheritance and innovation and dissemination and exchange, we must nourish the spiritual source of core socialist values, thereby injecting inexhaustible spiritual momentum into Chinese-path modernization.

紧扣推进中国式现代化主题，完善培育和践行社会主义核心价值观制度机制。在推进中国式现代化的宏伟征程中，完善培育和践行社会主义核心价值观的制度机制，是一项关乎国家发展根基与民族复兴命运的重大任务。我们需秉持系统观念，深度融合法治、教育、文化等多元要素，构建起全方位、多层次的价值引领体系。通过法治的刚性约束与柔性引导的结合，筑牢核心价值观的制度基石；以教育的深度渗透与实践养成相协同，培育社会主义核心价值观的深厚土壤；以文化的传承创新与传播交流相促进，涵养社会主义核心价值观的精神源泉，从而为中国式现代化注入不竭的精神动力。

(The author is a researcher at the Center for Literature and Hermeneutics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences)

（作者系中国社会科学院文学与阐释学研究中心研究员）

Online Editor: Huihui

网络编辑：慧慧