Building the Cultural Foundation of Ideological and Political Education

Ideological and political education is the forward position of the Party’s ideological work. It must adhere to Xi Jinping’s cultural thought as its guide, enhance the theoretical depth, cultural thickness, and practical effectiveness of ideological and political education, and, on the new journey of comprehensively building a modern socialist country, construct a spiritual high ground that unites people and cultivates new people.

思想政治教育是党的意识形态工作的前沿阵地，必须坚持以习近平文化思想为指导，增强思想政治教育的理论深度、文化厚度和实践效度，在全面建设社会主义现代化国家新征程中构筑起凝聚人心、培育新人的精神高地。

Upholding the cultivation of virtue and talent

坚持立德树人

Xi Jinping’s cultural thought profoundly reveals the essential requirements and fundamental tasks of ideological and political education in the New Era, elevating “cultivating virtue and talent” to the strategic height of cultural inheritance, innovation, and national rejuvenation. “Cultivating new people capable of shouldering the great task of national rejuvenation” is the core goal of building a culturally strong country, anchoring the political orientation, cultural coordinates, and practical pathways for ideological and political education. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasizes that “it is necessary to take the Party’s comprehensive leadership over education as the fundamental guarantee,” “take cultivating virtue and talent as the fundamental task,” and “take the modernization of educational concepts, systems, institutions, content, methods, and governance as the basic pathway.” This not only highlights the practical logic of “three-aspect holistic education” [1]1 “Three-aspect education” (三全育人) refers to all-staff, whole-process, and all-round education, a comprehensive reform framework in Chinese higher education. in ideological and political education but also extracts from fine traditional Chinese culture the educational law of “nurturing roots and souls, enlightening wisdom and moistening hearts.”

习近平文化思想深刻揭示了新时代思想政治教育的本质要求与根本任务，将“立德树人”提升至文化传承创新与民族复兴的战略高度。“培养担当民族复兴大任的时代新人”是文化强国建设的核心目标，为思想政治教育锚定了政治导向、文化坐标与实践路径。习近平总书记强调，“必须以坚持党对教育事业的全面领导为根本保证”，“以立德树人为根本任务”，“以教育理念、体系、制度、内容、方法、治理现代化为基本路径”。这不仅彰显了思政教育“三全育人”的实践逻辑，还从中华优秀传统文化中提炼出“培根铸魂、启智润心”的育人规律。

To clarify the goals of ideological and political education, it is necessary to adhere to Xi Jinping’s cultural thought as the guide and construct an educational system integrating political, cultural, and contemporary dimensions. On the political dimension, it is essential to consolidate the foundation of Marxist belief, integrate “educating people for the Party and cultivating talent for the country” into the entire educational process, deepen students’ understanding of the cultural logic of the leadership of the Communist Party of China and the socialist system, and enhance their political identification with socialism with Chinese characteristics. On the cultural dimension, it is necessary to deepen the theoretical interpretation of the project to trace the origins of Chinese civilization [2]2 “Uphold fundamental principles and break new ground” (守正创新) is a standard CPC formulation for maintaining core principles while innovating in practice. and the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture, promoting the leap in ideological and political education from “cultural self-knowledge” to “cultural confidence,” so that students, in grasping the historical context, spiritual characteristics, and contemporary value of Chinese culture, can cultivate deep feelings for the nation and family. On the practical dimension, it is essential to focus on the contemporary needs of Chinese-path modernization, closely integrate the “five-education simultaneous development” [3] with the construction of “grand ideological and political courses,” [4] and cultivate new people of the era with a global vision, innovative spirit, and sense of responsibility.

明确思政教育目标，要坚持以习近平文化思想为指导，构建集政治性、文化性与时代性于一体的育人体系。政治维度上，要筑牢马克思主义信仰基础，将“为党育人、为国育才”融入教育全过程，深化学生对中国共产党领导与社会主义制度文化逻辑的理解，增进对中国特色社会主义的政治认同。文化维度上，要深化中华文明探源工程与中华优秀传统文化创造性转化、创新性发展的理论阐释，推动思政教育由“文化自知”向“文化自信”跃升，使学生在把握中华文化历史脉络、精神特质与当代价值中厚植家国情怀。实践维度上，要聚焦中国式现代化建设的时代需求，将“五育并举”与“大思政课”建设紧密结合，培养具备全球视野、创新精神与责任意识的时代新人。

Xi Jinping’s cultural thought scientifically answers the fundamental questions of what kind of people to cultivate, how to cultivate them, and for whom to cultivate them. We must promote the transformation of ideological and political education from “propaganda and indoctrination” and “political enlightenment” to “value guidance” and “cultural initiative.” Adhering to the fundamental task of the “two consolidations” [5] in ideological work requires ideological and political education to hold the ideological front and transform the strong cohesive and guiding force of socialist ideology into educational effectiveness.

习近平文化思想科学回答了培养什么人、怎样培养人、为谁培养人这个根本问题。我们要推动思政教育从“宣传灌输”“政治教化”向“价值引领”“文化主动”转型。坚持思想工作“两个巩固”的根本任务要求思政教育必须守住意识形态阵地，将社会主义意识形态的强大凝聚力和引领力转化为育人效能。

Promote the integration of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era into textbooks, classrooms, and minds, incorporate the “seven efforts” [6] into the curriculum system and teaching practice, so that the goals of ideological and political education manifest the value of the times in continuing the red genes, promoting advanced socialist culture, and innovating discourse expression. At the same time, relying on the integrated mechanism of ideological and political education in universities, middle schools, and primary schools, construct an educational model that connects “knowledge, emotion, intention, and action,” promoting students’ comprehensive development in theoretical cognition, cultural emotion, and practical ability. This goal orientation not only strengthens the mission of ideological and political education to serve national strategies but also highlights the unique role of cultural education in consolidating the foundation of the national spirit, providing fundamental guidance for cultivating socialist builders and successors with comprehensive development in morality, intelligence, physical fitness, aesthetics, and labor, and for cultivating more new people of the era who reassure the Party, love the country, contribute, and shoulder the great task of national rejuvenation.

推动习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想进教材、进课堂、进头脑，将“七个着力”融入课程体系与教学实践，使思政教育目标在赓续红色基因、弘扬社会主义先进文化、创新话语表达中彰显时代价值。同时，依托大中小学思想政治教育一体化机制，构建“知、情、意、行”相贯通的育人模式，促进学生在理论认知、文化情感与实践能力等方面全面发展。这一目标导向不仅强化了思政教育服务国家战略的使命担当，还凸显了文化育人在筑牢民族精神根基中的独特作用，为培养德智体美劳全面发展的社会主义建设者和接班人，培养更多让党放心、爱国奉献、担当民族复兴大任的时代新人提供了根本遵循。

Adhering to the Two Integrations

坚持“两个结合”

Xi Jinping’s cultural thought emphasizes adhering to the Two Integrations, strengthening cultural confidence, and always upholding the soul of Marxism and the root of fine traditional Chinese culture. This provides a solid theoretical foundation and cultural basis for ideological and political education. By developing advanced socialist culture, promoting revolutionary culture, and inheriting fine traditional Chinese culture, ideological and political education can evoke individuals’ cultural identity and pride, further consolidating the cohesion and centripetal force of the Chinese nation. At the same time, building a culturally strong country requires ideological and political education to promote people’s comprehensive development and comprehensive social progress through cultural education and cultural guidance.

习近平文化思想强调坚持“两个结合”，坚定文化自信，始终坚守马克思主义这个魂脉、中华优秀传统文化这个根脉。这为思想政治教育提供了坚实的理论基础和文化根基。通过发展社会主义先进文化、弘扬革命文化、传承中华优秀传统文化，思想政治教育能够唤起个体的文化认同感和自豪感，进一步巩固中华民族的凝聚力与向心力。同时，文化强国建设要求思想政治教育以文化教育与文化引领促进人的全面发展、社会全面进步。

Adhering to the integration of the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities enables ideological and political education to closely align with the actual development of Chinese society, reflecting the characteristics of the times and practical needs. Through vivid historical cases and practical achievements, the scientific nature and truth of Marxism are explained, enhancing students’ theoretical identification and political awareness. At the same time, integrating the basic principles of Marxism with fine traditional Chinese culture draws on the essence of traditional culture to better enrich the cultural connotation and humanistic depth of ideological and political education.

坚持把马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合，使思政教育能够紧密围绕中国社会发展实际，反映时代特征和现实需求。通过生动的历史案例和现实成就阐释马克思主义的科学性与真理性，提升学生的理论认同感和政治觉悟。同时，将马克思主义基本原理同中华优秀传统文化相结合，汲取传统文化的精髓，更好地丰富思政教育的文化内涵和人文底蕴。

Fine traditional Chinese culture contains extensive philosophical speculation, profound humanistic spiritual connotations, a systematic moral concept system, and distinct value orientations, emphasizing humanistic care and moral education. Integrating Chinese culture into ideological and political education can better focus on students’ emotional needs and moral experiences, enhancing the affinity and appeal of ideological and political education. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasizes that Chinese civilization endows Chinese-path modernization with profound heritage. Therefore, ideological and political education must be based on the history of Chinese civilization, continue the Chinese cultural lineage, and manifest the dialectical unity of the truth power of Marxism and the spiritual power of Chinese culture in the Two Integrations. By promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture, ideological and political education can enhance Chinese cultural identity in the inheritance of civilization and manifest Chinese wisdom in mutual learning among civilizations.

中华优秀传统文化蕴含广博的哲学思辨、深邃的人文精神内涵、系统的道德观念体系以及鲜明的价值取向，注重人文关怀和道德教化。将中华文化融入思政教育，能够更加注重学生的情感需求和道德体验，提升思政教育的亲和力和感染力。习近平总书记强调，中华文明赋予中国式现代化以深厚底蕴。因此，思想政治教育必须立足中华文明史，赓续中华文脉，在“两个结合”中彰显马克思主义真理力量与中华文化精神力量的辩证统一。通过推动中华优秀传统文化创造性转化、创新性发展，使思政教育在文明传承中增进中华文化认同，在文明互鉴中彰显中国智慧。

Cultivating core socialist values

培育社会主义核心价值观

General Secretary Xi Jinping points out that core socialist values are the concentrated embodiment of the contemporary Chinese spirit, condensing the common value pursuits of all people. This anchors the fundamental value coordinates for ideological and political education in the New Era. By integrating core socialist values into ideological and political education, guiding people to establish correct worldviews, outlooks on life, and values, and cultivating citizens with noble character and good behavioral habits, it not only helps improve residents’ cultural literacy and the level of social civilization but also lays a solid foundation for the long-term stability and prosperous development of the country.

习近平总书记指出，社会主义核心价值观是当代中国精神的集中体现，凝结着全体人民共同的价值追求。这为新时代思想政治教育锚定了根本价值坐标。通过将社会主义核心价值观融入思想政治教育，引导人们树立正确的世界观、人生观、价值观，培养具有高尚品德和良好行为习惯的公民，不仅有助于提升居民文化素养和社会文明程度，还为国家长治久安和繁荣发展奠定了坚实基础。

Core socialist values, as the value core of socialism with Chinese characteristics, inherit the ethical genes of “benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness” from fine traditional Chinese culture, condense the spiritual character of “loyalty, dedication, hard work, and struggle” from revolutionary culture, and embody the value pursuit of “people first, common prosperity” from advanced socialist culture.

社会主义核心价值观作为中国特色社会主义的价值内核，既传承了中华优秀传统文化中“仁义礼智信”的伦理基因，又凝练了革命文化“忠诚奉献、艰苦奋斗”的精神品格，更体现了社会主义先进文化“人民至上、共同富裕”的价值追求。

Cultivating and practicing core socialist values is the main thread running through the entire process of ideological and political education. General Secretary Xi Jinping points out that through educational guidance, public

将培育和践行社会主义核心价值观作为贯穿思政教育全过程的主线。习近平总书记指出，要通过教育引导、舆论宣传、文化熏陶、实践养成、制度保障等，使社会主义核心价值观内化为人们的精神追求，外化为人们的自觉行动。这需要思政教育既要强化理论阐释的深度，讲清楚社会主义核心价值观与中华文明连续性、创新性、统一性、包容性、和平性之间的内在关联；又要注重实践转化的成效，通过“把社会主义核心价值观融入法治建设、融入社会发展、融入日常生活”的战略部署，推动社会主义核心价值观教育从认知认同向行为习惯深化。习近平总书记强调，要抓住青少年价值观形成和确定的关键时期，引导青少年扣好人生第一粒扣子。对这一育人规律的科学把握体现了社会主义核心价值观培育中“知、情、意、行”的辩证统一。

On the new journey, grounded in the new historical orientation, with the goal of building a socialist ideology that possesses strong cohesion and leading power, we strive to construct an educational pattern of “grand ideological and political courses.” We organically integrate the basic principles of Marxism, fine traditional Chinese culture, and the spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists into the curriculum system, deepening the comprehensive reform of “three-aspect education.” By strengthening historical consciousness, confidence in the culture, and value guidance, we guide young students to deeply understand the civilizational implications of Chinese-path modernization, forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, adhere to the integration of learning, thinking, and application and the unity of knowledge, belief, and action, uphold fundamental principles and break new ground to promote the innovative development of ideological and political education, cultivate socialist builders and successors who are well-developed morally, intellectually, physically, aesthetically, and labor-wise, and provide a solid ideological guarantee and cultural support for comprehensively building a modern socialist country.

新征程上，立足新的历史方位，以建设具有强大凝聚力和引领力的社会主义意识形态为目标，着力构建“大思政课”育人格局。将马克思主义基本原理、中华优秀传统文化、中国共产党人精神谱系有机融入课程体系，深化“三全育人”综合改革。通过强化历史自觉、文化自信与价值引领，引导青年学生深刻理解中国式现代化的文明意蕴，铸牢中华民族共同体意识，坚持学思用贯通、知信行统一，守正创新推动思政教育创新发展，培养德智体美劳全面发展的社会主义建设者和接班人，为全面建设社会主义现代化国家提供坚实思想保障和文化支撑。

(This article is a phased achievement of the Shandong Provincial Social Science Planning Project Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era research special project “Research on Xi Jinping’s Important Discourses on Constructing a Philosophy and Social Science System with Chinese Characteristics” (21CXSXJ08).)

（本文系山东省社会科学规划项目习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想研究专项“习近平关于构建中国特色哲学社会科学体系重要论述研究”（21CXSXJ08）阶段性成果）

(The authors are a researcher at the Chinese Traditional Culture Research Center, School of Marxism, Shandong University of Science and Technology; and a professor at the School of Marxism, Peking University.)

（作者系山东科技大学马克思主义学院中国传统文化研究中心研究员；北京大学马克思主义学院教授）

Online editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心