Adhere to Xi Jinping Thought on Culture as the Guide to Enhance the Ideological and Political Guiding Force

General Secretary Xi Jinping, at the National Education Conference, first proposed the concept of “ideological and political guiding force” and designated it as the primary characteristic of a strong socialist education system with Chinese characteristics. Enhancing the ideological and political guiding force is a systematic project that requires simultaneously cultivating both “internal strength” and “external strength.” “External strength” focuses on methods, while “internal strength” focuses on theory. Solidly cultivating “internal strength” and promptly integrating the Party’s innovative theoretical achievements into ideological and political courses is the fundamental guarantee for enhancing the ideological and political guiding force. The “Education Powerhouse Construction Plan Outline (2024–2035)” [1]1 “Red practice” refers to educational activities centered on revolutionary heritage sites, museums, and historical materials, intended to instill revolutionary traditions and Party history. explicitly requires: “Adhere to the synchronous advancement of ideological and political course construction and the arming of the Party’s innovative theories.” Xi Jinping Thought on Culture is the theoretical summary of the Party’s practical experience in leading cultural construction in the New Era and a major achievement in advancing the theoretical innovation of Marxist culture. The publication of the “Study Outline for Xi Jinping Thought on Culture” (hereinafter referred to as the “Outline”) provides us with more systematic and comprehensive guidance for deeply studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Culture. We must adhere to Xi Jinping Thought on Culture as the guide, continuously enhance the ideological and political guiding force, and cultivate talents who cherish dreams and are capable of shouldering heavy responsibilities for building a strong education system and a strong cultural nation.

习近平总书记在全国教育大会上首次提出了“思政引领力”概念，并将其作为中国特色社会主义教育强国的首要特质。提升思政引领力是一个系统工程，需要同时练好“内功”和“外功”。“外功”侧重于方法，“内功”侧重于理论。扎实修炼好“内功”，将党的创新理论成果及时融入思政课，是提升思政引领力的根本保证。《教育强国建设规划纲要（2024—2035年）》明确要求：“坚持思政课建设与党的创新理论武装同步推进”。习近平文化思想是新时代党领导文化建设实践经验的理论总结，是推进马克思主义文化理论创新的重大成果。《习近平文化思想学习纲要》（以下简称《纲要》）的出版，为我们深入学习贯彻习近平文化思想提供了更加系统、全面的指引。我们必须坚持以习近平文化思想为指导，不断提升思政引领力，为建设教育强国和文化强国培养胸怀梦想、堪当重任的人才。

First, unequivocally uphold the guiding position of Marxism in the realm of ideology, closely uniting the younger generation under the Party’s banner. Upholding the Party’s cultural leadership and building a socialist ideology with strong cohesion and guiding force are the core essences of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture. Ideology determines the direction of cultural progress and the path of development, and it is also directly related to the fundamental question of “what kind of people to cultivate, how to cultivate them, and for whom to cultivate them.” General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized: “On the fundamental issue of upholding the guiding position of Marxism, we must be unwavering and must not waver in the slightest under any circumstances at any time.” This is the basic prerequisite for enhancing the ideological and political guiding force and for discussing a series of major propositions such as Chinese-path modernization, the Two Integrations, and a community with a shared future for mankind.

第一，旗帜鲜明地坚持马克思主义在意识形态领域的指导地位，将青年一代紧密团结在党的旗帜之下。坚持党的文化领导权，建设具有强大凝聚力和引领力的社会主义意识形态，是习近平文化思想的核心要义。意识形态决定着文化前进的方向和发展的道路，也直接关系到“培养什么人、怎样培养人、为谁培养人”这一根本问题。习近平总书记反复强调：“在坚持马克思主义指导地位这一根本问题上，我们必须坚定不移，任何时候任何情况下都不能有丝毫动摇。”这是提升思政引领力，以及探讨中国式现代化、“两个结合”、人类命运共同体等一系列重大命题的基本前提。

Since the beginning of the New Era, the path of Chinese-path modernization has become increasingly clear, and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered an irreversible historical process. These great achievements serve as powerful footnotes to the scientific nature and truth of Marxism. However, erroneous arguments such as the “obsolescence of Marxism” and “modernization equals Westernization” still emerge one after another, and, leveraging the strong diffusion of the internet, continuously impact the ideology of the younger generation. Therefore, it is necessary to fully carry forward our Party’s fine tradition of ideological and political education, popularize, massify, and ritualize abstract theories in flexible and diverse forms, so that the light of truth truly illuminates the lives and spiritual world of young people; we must go deep into the youth groups, earnestly listen to their confusions, understand their difficulties, and guide them to use the basic principles of Marxism to solve the problems they encounter; we must combine the historic achievements and historic transformations in the cause of the Party and the state, as well as the changes unseen in a century in the world, to clearly explain and articulate the explanatory power and creativity of Marxism in the contemporary era.

新时代以来，中国式现代化道路越来越清晰，中华民族伟大复兴进入不可逆的历史进程，这些伟大成就成为马克思主义科学性和真理性的有力注脚。但是，马克思主义过时论、“现代化即西化”等错误论调依然此起彼伏，并且借助互联网的强扩散性不断冲击着青年一代的思想意识。因此，必须充分发扬我们党的思想政治教育优良传统，以灵活多样的形式将抽象的理论通俗化、大众化、仪式化，让真理的光芒真正照进青年人的生活和精神世界；要深入到青年群体当中，认真倾听他们的困惑，了解他们的困境，指导他们用马克思主义基本原理解决所遇到的问题；要结合党和国家事业所取得的历史性成就、发生的历史性变革，以及世界百年未有之大变局，将马克思主义在当代的解释力和创造力讲清楚、说明白。

Second, unswervingly advance the Two Integrations, break free from the “dispute between the ancient and the modern, China and the West,” and strengthen the cultural confidence of the younger generation. The Two Integrations are the greatest magic weapon for our success. The “Outline” points out: “We must always adhere to the soul and root of theoretical innovation, comprehensively excavate the treasure trove of over five thousand years of Chinese civilization under the guidance of Marxism, and inject the great spirit and rich wisdom of the Chinese nation into Marxism at a deeper level.” The Second Integration is a major landmark concept of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, a major theoretical innovation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It has successfully resolved the “dispute between the ancient and the modern, China and the West” since modern times, created a new cultural life entity possessing both subjectivity and openness, elevated our understanding of the path, theory, and system to a new height, and elevated our historical confidence and cultural confidence to a new height.

第二，毫不动摇地推进“两个结合”，跳出“古今中西之争”，坚定青年一代的文化自信。“两个结合”是我们取得成功的最大法宝。《纲要》指出：“要始终坚守理论创新的魂和根，以马克思主义为指导对中华五千多年文明宝库进行全面挖掘，将中华民族的伟大精神和丰富智慧更深层次地注入马克思主义。”“第二个结合”是习近平文化思想的重大标志性概念，是习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的重大理论创新，成功破解了近代以来的“古今中西之争”，造就了兼具主体性和开放性的新的文化生命体，使我们对道路、理论、制度的认识达到新的高度，使我们的历史自信、文化自信达到新的高度。

The “dispute between the ancient and the modern, China and the West” is a theoretical and practical struggle that has revolved around the central question of “where is China headed” since modern times. Its essence is: how can Chinese civilization, which has never been interrupted for thousands of years, move towards modernization? Cultural nihilism’s “wholesale Westernization” and cultural revivalism’s “return to the past” are both erroneous concepts generated in the course of the above debate and are also one of the cognitive roots causing ideological confusion among today’s younger generation. The reason the Communist Party of China has been able to break free from the “dispute between the ancient and the modern, China and the West” lies in its adherence to a systematic perspective: firmly grasping the theme of “development,” actively exploring theoretical innovation, aiming for the comprehensive rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and creating a new form of human civilization. Therefore, we must, guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, actively construct an independent knowledge system of China, and on this basis, continuously improve the textbook system for ideological and political courses, achieve coherence and coordination between various courses, and overcome the cognitive drawback of “each teaching its own” that exists in teaching practice. At the same time, we must adhere to an interdisciplinary perspective, introduce necessary content from other disciplines, and truly construct the disciplinary paradigm of “Grand Ideological and Political Education.” [2]2 Quoted from Xi Jinping’s speech at the Fifth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC, October 2020, or similar context on education.

“古今中西之争”，是近代以来围绕“中国往何处去”这一中心问题而产生的理论和实践之争，其实质是：几千年来从未中断的中华文明如何走向现代化。文化虚无主义的“全盘西化”和文化复古主义的“回到过去”等，都是上述争论过程中所产生的错误观念，也是造成今日青年一代思想混乱的认识根源之一。中国共产党之所以能够跳出“古今中西之争”，就在于坚持了系统观念，既牢牢把握“发展”这一主题，又积极探索理论创新，以谋求中华民族的全面复兴为目标，开创了人类文明新形态。因此，我们必须以习近平文化思想为指导，积极构建中国自主的知识体系，并在此基础上不断完善思政课的教材体系，实现各门课程之间的贯通与协调，克服教学实践中存在的“各讲各的”认识弊端。同时，要坚持跨学科视野，引入其他学科的必要内容，真正建构起“大思政”的学科范式。

Third, firmly and solidly forge the sense of community for the Chinese nation, build the shared spiritual home for the Chinese nation, and enhance the national identity and cultural identity of the younger generation. Chinese civilization possesses outstanding unity. The “Outline” emphasizes: “The history of China is a history of the integration of various ethnic groups into a pluralistic and unified Chinese nation, a history of various ethnic groups jointly creating, developing, and consolidating the unified great motherland. The reason why our various ethnic groups are united and integrated, and why the pluralistic becomes one, stems from the mutual cultural inclusiveness, economic interdependence, and emotional closeness among the ethnic groups, and stems from the endogenous driving force of the Chinese nation in pursuing unity and solidarity.” All ethnic groups share one common homeland, which is China; share one common identity, which is the Chinese nation; and share one common name, which is Chinese people. At the new historical starting point, guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, forging the sense of community for the Chinese nation, building the shared spiritual home for the Chinese nation, and enhancing the national identity and cultural identity of the younger generation are major cultural and educational missions for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

第三，坚定扎实地铸牢中华民族共同体意识，建设中华民族共有精神家园，增强青年一代的民族认同和文化认同。中华文明具有突出的统一性。《纲要》强调：“一部中国史，就是一部各民族交融汇聚成多元一体中华民族的历史，就是各民族共同缔造、发展、巩固统一的伟大祖国的历史。我国各民族之所以团结融合，多元之所以聚为一体，源自各民族相互间在文化上的兼收并蓄、经济上的相互依存、情感上的相互亲近，源自中华民族追求团结统一的内生动力。”各族人民都有一个共同家园，就是中国；都有一个共同身份，就是中华民族；都有一个共同名字，就是中国人。在新的历史起点上，以习近平文化思想为指导，铸牢中华民族共同体意识，建设中华民族共有精神家园，增强青年一代的民族认同和文化认同，是实现中华民族伟大复兴的重大文化和教育使命。

The completion of this major mission still faces severe challenges. Therefore, it is necessary to unequivocally refute erroneous ethnic theories, teach the course “Introduction to the Chinese National Community” well, elucidate it from the three major logics of theory, history, and reality, and guide the younger generation to form correct ethnic concepts; it is necessary to vigorously promote the guiding and shaping role of core socialist values and their integration into daily life, so that the younger generation can perceive them, comprehend them, internalize them as spiritual pursuits, and externalize them as practical actions.

这一重大使命的完成，仍面临严峻挑战。因此，必须旗帜鲜明地驳斥错误的民族理论，讲好“中华民族共同体概论”课程，从理论、历史和现实三大逻辑加以阐明，引导青年一代形成正确的民族观念；必须大力推进社会主义核心价值观的引领、塑造作用及其日常生活化，使青年一代能够感知它、领悟它，内化为精神追求，外化为实际行动。

Fourth, actively and deeply explore the educational function of revolutionary cultural relics, promote the red cultural tradition, and make the younger generation’s understanding of Party history more concrete. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “Revolutionary cultural relics carry the glorious history of the heroic struggle of the Party and the people, record the great journey and touching deeds of the Chinese revolution, are precious assets of the Party and the state, and are vivid teaching materials for promoting revolutionary traditions and revolutionary culture, strengthening socialist cultural-ethical progress, inspiring patriotic enthusiasm, and invigorating the national spirit.” The “Outline” emphasizes: “Give full play to the educational function of museums, let history speak, let cultural relics speak, and guide the masses, especially young people, to feel the Chinese wisdom and Chinese spirit contained in cultural heritage. Strengthen the protection and utilization of revolutionary cultural relics, and give full play to the important role of revolutionary cultural relics in Party history learning and education, revolutionary tradition education, and patriotic education.” The truth power of Marxism, the ideological power of the Two Integrations, the contemporary value of the sense of community for the Chinese nation, etc., are all condensed within the history of the Communist Party of China. Revolutionary cultural relics carry the magnificent memories of Party history and are direct witnesses to the Party’s struggle journey and great achievements. Giving full play to the role of museums, combining the “small classroom” with the “big classroom,” [3]3 “Small classroom” refers to formal school lessons; “big classroom” refers to social practice, museums, and other real-world educational settings. so that the younger generation’s understanding of Party history moves from text to physical objects, from theory to practice, is an important starting point for enhancing the ideological and political guiding force under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture.

第四，积极深入地发掘革命文物的教育功能，弘扬红色文化传统，让青年一代对党史的理解更为具象化。习近平总书记指出：“革命文物承载党和人民英勇奋斗的光荣历史，记载中国革命的伟大历程和感人事迹，是党和国家的宝贵财富，是弘扬革命传统和革命文化、加强社会主义精神文明建设、激发爱国热情、振奋民族精神的生动教材。”《纲要》强调：“发挥好博物馆的教育功能，让历史说话，让文物说话，引导人民群众特别是青少年感受文化遗产中蕴含的中国智慧和中国精神。加强革命文物保护利用，发挥好革命文物在党史学习教育、革命传统教育、爱国主义教育等方面的重要作用。”马克思主义的真理力量、“两个结合”的思想伟力、中华民族共同体意识的时代价值等，都浓缩于一部中国共产党历史之中。革命文物则承载着波澜壮阔的党史记忆，是我们党奋斗历程和伟大成就的直接见证。发挥好博物馆的作用，将“小课堂”和“大课堂”结合起来，让青年一代对党史的理解从文字落到实物、从理论落到实际，是以习近平文化思想为指导提升思政引领力的重要抓手。

At present, there are still some shortcomings in the exploration of the educational function of revolutionary cultural relics. For example, red practice [1]1 “Red practice” refers to educational activities centered on revolutionary heritage sites, museums, and historical materials, intended to instill revolutionary traditions and Party history. is still mainly focused on students, and the leading role of teachers in participation has not been fully brought into play; the content of practice is disconnected from the textbook system, and the interaction between history and reality still needs improvement; visits are conducted in a cursory manner, making it impossible to truly internalize red history and spirit in the mind and heart; museum exhibitions lack theoretical and systematic coherence, making it difficult to achieve the goal of seeing people, events, and spirit through objects. To this end, first, it is necessary to take Xi Jinping Thought on Culture as the guide to construct a narrative system of Party history centered on revolutionary cultural relics; second, it is necessary to further leverage the bridging role of teachers, connecting history and reality through on-site explanations; third, it is necessary to innovate forms of student participation, introducing the disciplinary method of oral history, so that students transform from passive recipients into historical interpreters.

当前对革命文物教育功能的发掘，还存在一些短板。比如，红色实践仍以学生为主，教师的参与引领作用未能得到充分发挥；实践内容与教材体系脱节，历史与现实的互动性还有待提高；参观活动走马观花，无法真正做到红色历史和精神入脑入心；博物馆展陈缺乏理论性和体系性，难以实现透物见人、透物见事、透物见精神。为此，一是必须以习近平文化思想为指导，建构起以革命文物为中心的党史叙事体系；二是必须进一步发挥教师的衔接作用，通过现场讲解打通历史和现实；三是必须创新学生的参与形式，引入口述史的学科方法，让学生从被动接受者变为历史阐释者。

General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: “Our goal in building a strong educational country is to cultivate generation after generation of socialist builders and successors who are well-developed morally, intellectually, physically, aesthetically, and labor-wise, and to cultivate generation after generation of pillars of talent who can be of great use and shoulder heavy responsibilities in the construction of socialist modernization, ensuring that the Party’s cause and the construction of a strong socialist modernized country have successors.” [2]2 Quoted from Xi Jinping’s speech at the Fifth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC, October 2020, or similar context on education. Ideological and political courses are meant to solve the problem of students’ ideals and beliefs, and behind ideals and beliefs lies the strong support of cultural values. Taking Xi Jinping Thought on Culture as the guide to enhance the leading power of ideological and political education, uniting the younger generation closely around the Party, and reserving young talent for the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, is a major task concerning the Party’s long-term governance and the long-term stability of the country. It must be continuously advanced, constantly deepened, and persisted in with perseverance and sustained effort.

习近平总书记强调：“我们建设教育强国的目的，就是培养一代又一代德智体美劳全面发展的社会主义建设者和接班人，培养一代又一代在社会主义现代化建设中可堪大用、能担重任的栋梁之才，确保党的事业和社会主义现代化强国建设后继有人。”思政课要解决的是学生的理想信念问题，而理想信念的背后是文化价值理念的强力支撑。以习近平文化思想为指导提升思政引领力，将青年一代紧密团结在党的周围，为实现中华民族伟大复兴储备青年人才，是事关我们党长期执政、国家长治久安的重大任务，必须持续推进、不断深化，持之以恒、久久为功。

(The authors are, respectively, Vice Dean and Professor of the School of Marxism at Ocean University of China; and Researcher at the School of Marxism at Ocean University of China.)

（作者系中国海洋大学马克思主义学院副院长、教授；中国海洋大学马克思主义学院研究员）

Online Editor: Huihui

网络编辑：慧慧