Promoting Chinese-Path Modernization through the Power of Culture

The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC [1]1 The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC was held in July 2024, focusing on comprehensively deepening reform and advancing Chinese-path modernization. proposed that “cultural prosperity is an important hallmark of Chinese-path modernization.” To promote Chinese-path modernization, it is necessary to flourish and develop socialist culture, to adhere to the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, to stimulate the creative and innovative vitality of culture across society, to vigorously advance cultural undertakings, to accelerate the development of the cultural industry, and to advance tangible and perceptible vivid practices in the process of Chinese-path modernization.

党的二十届四中全会提出，“文化繁荣兴盛是中国式现代化的重要标志”。推动中国式现代化建设，必须繁荣发展社会主义文化，要坚持习近平文化思想的科学指引，激发全社会文化创新创造活力，大力繁荣文化事业，加快发展文化产业，在中国式现代化建设进程中推进可感可知的生动实践。

I

一

Xi Jinping Thought on Culture is rich in content and profound in exposition. It is an evolving, open-ended system of thought, an original development of Marxist cultural theory, and a systematic grasp of the laws governing the construction of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics in the New Era. [2]2 The New Era refers to the period since the 19th National Congress of the CPC in 2017, marking a new historical juncture for China’s development under Xi Jinping’s leadership. To deeply study and thoroughly comprehend this important thought, the key lies in grasping the organic unity of three dimensions.

习近平文化思想内涵丰富、论述深刻，是一个不断展开的、开放式的思想体系，是对马克思主义文化理论的原创性发展，是对新时代中国特色社会主义文化建设规律的系统把握。深学细悟这一重要思想，关键在于把准三个维度的有机统一。

Deeply understand the fundamental stance of “establishing a heart for the nation and a soul for the people.” [3]3 “Establishing a heart for the nation and a soul for the people” is a phrase from Xi Jinping’s speeches, emphasizing the ideological and spiritual foundation of the nation. Xi Jinping Thought on Culture profoundly answers fundamental questions concerning China’s cultural construction in the New Era, such as what flag to hold, what path to take, what principles to uphold, and what goals to achieve. It clearly emphasizes that ideological work is the work of establishing a heart for the nation and a soul for the people. As a pilot demonstration zone for socialism with Chinese characteristics, Shenzhen consistently upholds the guiding position of Marxism in the ideological domain, persistently uses Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to consolidate minds and forge souls, adheres to a grand propaganda and public opinion work pattern under the unified leadership of the Party committee, with joint management by the Party and government, coordination by the propaganda department, and division of labor and responsibility among relevant departments, and integrates adherence to political direction and guidance throughout the entire process and all aspects of propaganda, ideology, and cultural work. It uses mainstream values to unite people’s hearts, uses the main theme to inspire morale, uses truth, goodness, and beauty to enlighten souls, and resolutely guards the “southern gate” of ideological security. [4]4 “Southern gate” is a metaphor for Shenzhen’s role as a frontline city in guarding ideological security in southern China.

深刻领会“为国家立心、为民族立魂”的根本立场。习近平文化思想深刻回答了新时代我国文化建设举什么旗、走什么路、坚持什么原则、实现什么目标等根本问题，鲜明强调意识形态工作是为国家立心、为民族立魂的工作。深圳作为中国特色社会主义先行示范区，始终坚持马克思主义在意识形态领域的指 导地位，坚持不懈用习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想凝心铸魂，坚持党委统一领导、党政齐抓共管、宣传部门组织协调、有关部门分工负责的大舆宣工作格局，把讲政治、守导向贯穿于宣传思想文化工作的全过程、各方面，以主流价值凝聚人心、用主旋律鼓舞斗志、用真善美启迪心灵，坚决守好意识形态安全“南大门”。

Deeply understand the theoretical character of the “Second Integration” [5]5 The “Second Integration” refers to the integration of the basic principles of Marxism with China’s fine traditional culture, as distinct from the first integration with China’s specific realities. in linking and merging. Xi Jinping Thought on Culture links the essence of the basic principles of Marxism with the essence of fine traditional Chinese culture, advocating a methodological consciousness of “understanding the substance to apply it, integrating substance and application” [6]6 “Understanding the substance to apply it, integrating substance and application” is a classical Chinese philosophical concept, here used to denote the unity of theory and practice. while adhering to the soul lineage and continuing the root lineage. Shenzhen has coordinated the advancement of cultural heritage protection, historical context preservation, and modern spatial governance, achieving numerous results: through the revitalization and renewal of historical districts such as Nantou Old Town and Dapeng Fortress, it showcases an urban civilization expression of “ancient and modern shining together”; through the systematic layout of major cultural facilities in the New Era, represented by the Shenzhen Opera House, it allows the root of civilization and the pulse of innovation to resonate in the same time and space; the original dance drama “Wing Chun” has toured over 50 cities worldwide with more than 300 performances, winning the national “Five One Project” Award, [7]7 The “Five One Project” Award is a national prize in China for outstanding works in literature, film, television, drama, and songs, established by the CPC Central Propaganda Department. becoming a model work for the “creative transformation and innovative development” of fine traditional Chinese culture.

深刻领会“第二个结合”贯通融汇的理论品格。习近平文化思想把马克思主义基本原理思想精髓同中华优秀传统文化精华贯通起来，在坚守魂脉与赓续根脉中倡导“明体达用、体用贯通”的方法论自觉。深圳将文化遗产保护、历史文脉传承与现代空间治理统筹推进，取得诸多成果：以南头古城、大鹏所城等历史街区的活化更新，展现“古今同辉”的城市文明表达；以深圳歌剧院等为代表的新时代重大文化设施系统布局，让文明根脉与创新脉动在同一时空共振；原创舞剧《咏春》在全球50多座城市巡演300余场，获全国“五个一工程”奖，成为中华优秀传统文化“双创”的典范之作。

Deeply understand the scientific method of the “Seven Efforts” [8]8 The “Seven Efforts” are a set of tasks in cultural work outlined by Xi Jinping, including theoretical armed, public opinion guidance, and cultural innovation. working in coordination. Xi Jinping Thought on Culture is not only an epistemology at the level of worldview and values but also a concrete methodology and practical theory, emphasizing the coordinated efforts of theoretical armed, public opinion guidance, civilization shaping, cultural innovation, international communication, and ideological security. Shenzhen closely focuses on the mission of raising the flag, gathering the people, educating new people, promoting culture, and displaying the image, [9]9 This mission statement for propaganda and cultural work was articulated by Xi Jinping at the 2018 National Conference on Propaganda and Ideological Work. innovatively constructing a grand propaganda and public opinion pattern of “propaganda departments + Party and government organs + high-end think tanks + various media + key enterprises + industry associations,” and building major functional platforms such as the Summit Forum on Building a Strong Cultural Country, the China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair (ICIF), the National Cultural Big Data Trading Center, the China International New Media Short Film Festival, the China (Shenzhen) International TV Drama Program Trade Fair, and the “City of Design.” It integrates the full-chain implementation of concepts, institutions, mechanisms, and projects, promoting the high-quality development of propaganda, ideology, and cultural undertakings.

深刻领会“七个着力”协同发力的科学方法。习近平文化思想不仅有世界观、价值观层面的认识论，更是具体的方法论、实践论，强调理论武装、舆论引导、文明塑造、文化创新、国际传播、意识形态安全的协同发力。深圳紧紧围绕举旗帜、聚民心、育新人、兴文化、展形象的使命任务，创新构建“宣传部门+党政机关+高端智库+各类媒体+重点企业+行业协会”的大舆宣格局，打造文化强国建设高峰论坛、文博会、全国文化大数据交易中心、中国国际新媒体短片节、中国（深圳）国际电视剧节目交易会、“设计之都”等重大功能性平台，贯通理念、制度、机制、项目的全链条落实，推动宣传思想文化事业高质量发展。

II

二

Standing at a new historical starting point, it is necessary to thoroughly implement the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC, deeply study and faithfully practice Xi Jinping Thought on Culture and the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s series of important speeches and instructions on Guangdong and Shenzhen, vigorously promote the spirit of reform and opening up and the spirit of the special economic zone, and accelerate the creation of a new-era cultural highland through tracing the source and integrating understanding, providing strong spiritual support and cultural power for Shenzhen to take the lead and be a vanguard in advancing Chinese-path modernization.

站在新的历史起点，必须深入贯彻党的二十届四中全会精神，深学笃行习近平文化思想以及习近平总书记对广东、深圳系列重要讲话重要指示精神，大力弘扬改革开放精神、特区精神，在循迹溯源、融会贯通中加快打造新时代文化高地，为深圳在推进中国式现代化建设中走在前列、勇当尖兵提供强大的精神支撑和文化力量。

Take the in-depth penetration of the Party’s innovative theories into people’s minds as the guide, consolidate the foundation, cultivate the essence, and forge the soul. Persist in thoroughly studying, understanding, and implementing, constructing a closed-loop chain of “theoretical armed – think tank interpretation – media dissemination – cultural nourishment – platform transformation,” and continuously deepen the study, propaganda, and implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Hold high-quality academic and propaganda activities, advance major research projects, strive to transform theoretical achievements into textbook, discourse, and product systems, continuously enhance the thickness of academic theory and the expressive power of the times, and actively contribute wisdom and strength to exploring the construction of an independent knowledge system for Chinese philosophy and social sciences.

以党的创新理论入脑入心为先导，固本培元、凝心铸魂。坚持学懂弄通做实，构建“理论武装—智库阐释—媒体传播—文化润心—平台转化”的闭环链条，把学习宣传贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想不断引向深入。举办高质量学术与宣讲活动，推进重大课题研究，努力将理论成果转化为教材、话语与产品体系，持续提升学理厚度与时代表达力，为探索构建中国哲学社会科学自主知识体系积极贡献智慧和力量。

Take the strong dissemination of mainstream ideological public opinion as the driving force, strengthen confidence, gather people’s hearts, warm people’s hearts, and build consensus. Deeply implement the “Bright and Powerful Voice” project, [10]10 The “Bright and Powerful Voice” project is a Shenzhen-specific initiative to amplify mainstream media and public opinion. focusing on major nodes and major platforms such as Qianhai and the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone, as well as major events such as the Global Investment Promotion Conference, the China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF), the ICIF, and the China Marine Economy Expo (CMEE), forming a cluster of heavyweight reports. Improve the emergency communication mechanism of “all-weather authoritative release – all-media precise reach – all-scenario social mobilization,” enhancing the speed, warmth, and intensity of public opinion guidance for emergencies and hot issues concerning people’s livelihoods. Deeply promote the systematic transformation of mainstream media, strengthen the construction of an all-media communication system; promote the quality and efficiency improvement of integrated media centers through “news + government services + commerce,” advancing the deep integration of intelligent media.

以主流思想舆论强势传播为牵引，强信心、聚民心、暖人心、筑同心。深入实施“光明强音”工程，围绕重大节点和前海、河套等重大平台以及全球招商大会、高交会、文博会、海博会等重大活动，形成重磅报道集群。完善“全天候权威发布—全媒体精准触达—全场景社会动员”的应急传播机制，提升突发事件、民生热点舆论引导的速度、温度、力度。深入推进主流媒体系统性变革，加强全媒体传播体系建设；以“新闻+政务服务+商务”推动融媒体中心提质增效，智媒融合迈向纵深。

Take the guidance of core socialist values in shaping social trends, uphold fundamental principles and break new ground, and influence silently. Integrate value guidance throughout the entire process of urban governance and public life, enhance citizens’ cultural-ethical standards through the six major actions of “cultivating the mind, nurturing virtue, abiding by the law, esteeming wisdom, revering culture, and strengthening the body,” [11]11 These six actions are part of Shenzhen’s local program for promoting core socialist values among citizens. and improve urban civilized behavior through the coordinated order of “rule of law + rule of virtue”; use the New Era Civilization Practice Centers (stations, points) and the “15-minute Civilization Practice Service Circle” as carriers to promote the sinking of resources, the downward flow of services, and the grounding of civilization; use the “Caring Action” as a lever to cultivate an upward and good urban ethos, polishing the golden signboard of “National Civilized City.” [12]12 “National Civilized City” is a title awarded by the central government to cities that meet standards in cultural-ethical progress and urban governance.

以社会主义核心价值观引领风尚，守正创新、润物无声。把价值引领贯穿城市治理和公共生活全过程，以“修心、养德、守法、尚智、崇文、健体”六大行动提升市民文明素养，以“法治+德治”协同秩序提升城市文明行为；以新时代文明实践中心（所、站）和“15分钟文明实践服务圈”为载体，推动资源下沉、服务下行、文明下扎；以“关爱行动”为抓手，涵养向上向善的城市风尚，擦亮“全国文明城市”金字招牌。

Take the action of climbing to the peak of fine literary and artistic creation as the starting point, write Chinese stories of the New Era. Adhere to a people-centered approach, take realistic themes as the main field, take the spirit of the times as the soul, take artistic innovation as the path, and create a “group of peak works” worthy of the times. Promote the publicity and domestic and international dissemination of the boutique short drama series “Miracle”; advance the IP operation of the original dance drama “Wing Chun,” promoting continuous commercial performances, long-running performances, and resident performances. Improve the mechanism of “open recruitment for projects – young talents – on-site incubation – market transformation,” perfect the policy chain of “support – dissemination – evaluation – incentives,” and promote the mutual promotion and co-progress of high-quality creation and high-level dissemination.

以文艺精品创作攀峰行动为抓手，书写新时代中国故事。坚持以人民为中心，以现实题材为主场，以时代精神为灵魂，以艺术创新为路径，打造无愧于时代的“高峰作品群”。推动精品短剧集《奇迹》宣推和海内外传播；推进原创舞剧《咏春》IP运营，推动持续商演、长演、驻演。健全“揭榜挂帅—青年英才—驻地孵化—市场转化”机制，完善“扶持—传播—评价—激励”政策链条，促进高质量创作与高水平传播互促共进。

Take the coupling of the three chains of “culture + technology + finance” as the engine, promote the high-quality development of the cultural industry. Use artificial intelligence to lead the cultural digitalization strategy, expand the digital creative industry oriented towards new quality productive forces, accelerate the development of new cultural business forms, and strengthen new tracks such as gaming and animation, digital music, digital publishing, digital exhibitions and performances, and immersive cultural tourism. Build the National Cultural Big Data Trading Center well, perfect the full-chain standards for rights confirmation, evaluation, trading, and distribution, and innovate the “private network + internet” model. Optimize cultural financial supply, expand and strengthen cultural industry funds, copyright pledges, cultural tourism REITs, and art trading, with the dual drive of the international art auction center and bonded warehouse, creating a market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized first-class business environment. Comprehensively enhance the internationalization, marketization, specialization, and digitalization level of the ICIF, using “offline + cloud” to amplify the spillover effect of “China’s No. 1 Cultural Industry Exhibition.”

以“文化+科技+金融”三链耦合为引擎，推动文化产业高质量发展。以人工智能引领文化数字化战略，面向新质生产力壮大数字创意产业，加快发展新型文化业态，做强游戏动漫、数字音乐、数字出版、数字展演、沉浸式文旅等新赛道。建好全国文化大数据交易中心，完善确权、评估、交易、分发全链条标准，创新“专网+互联网”模式。优化文化金融供给，做大做强文化产业基金、版权质押、文旅REITs、艺术品交易，国际艺术品拍卖中心与保税仓双轮驱动，营造市场化、法治化、国际化的一流营商环境。全面提升文博会的国际化、市场化、专业化、数字化水平，以“线下+云上”叠加放大“中国文化产业第一展”的溢出效应。

Taking the modernization of the public cultural service system as the focus, promote common prosperity in culture and shared beauty in spirit. Adhere to comprehensive regional balance, diversified supply, smart services, and universal sharing; advance the construction of major cultural facilities to high standards; improve the four-tier cultural supply network at the municipal, district, subdistrict, and community levels; and establish a mechanism for high-quality cultural resources to reach the grassroots directly. Relying on the "iShenzhen" smart platform, connect the closed loop of "reservation—participation—interaction—feedback—points," open up the three terminals of "online platform + offline venues + mobile devices," and promote the precise sinking of public cultural resources to industrial parks, urban villages, and grid endpoints. Through the "evergreen" cultural menu supply such as Reading Month, Design Week, the "Belt and Road" International Music Season, and "Our City Our Song," continuously nourish the city's scientific spirit, humanistic spirit, and artistic spirit.

以公共文化服务体系现代化为重点，推动文化共富、精神共美。坚持全域均衡、多元供给、智慧服务、全民共享，高标准推进重大文化设施建设，完善市、区、街道、社区四级文化供给网络，建立优质文化资源直达基层机制。依托“i深圳”智慧平台，联通“预约—参与—互动—反馈—积分”闭环，打通“线上平台+线下场馆+移动终端”三端，推动公共文化资源向产业园区、城中村、网格末梢精准下沉。以读书月、设计周、“一带一路”国际音乐季、“吾城吾歌”等“四季常青”文化菜单供给，持续涵养城市的科学精神、人文精神、艺术精神。

Taking the construction of a higher-level international communication capacity as the driving force, promote the beauty of each and the harmony of all. [13]13 The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting refers to the 2024 APEC Economic Leaders' Week hosted by Peru; the text implies Shenzhen's role in related cultural exchanges. Taking the hosting of the APEC meeting as a major opportunity, strengthen the "six external linkages," [14]14 "Six external linkages" (六外联动) is a Shenzhen-specific policy term referring to coordinated efforts in foreign affairs, foreign trade, foreign investment, foreign cultural exchange, foreign talent, and foreign-related legal services. expand "transmitting the voice through culture," deepen the "Shenzhen Story" urban civilization exchange plan, use higher-quality stories, more authentic images, and more perceptible discourse to comprehensively enhance international communication effectiveness, and present to the world a true, multi-dimensional, credible, amiable, and respectable China. The Summit on Building a Strong Cultural Nation and the ICIF [15]15 ICIF: the China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair, a major annual cultural trade event. "shine together like twin stars," transforming cultural confidence into international expression; upgrade the multilingual platform, strengthen the "short video + documentary + city blockbuster" content matrix; build a "Shenzhen Global Communication Envoy" phalanx, expand the team of foreign creators in China; deepen the IP influence of Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Macao shared reading, the Digital Design Tri-City Exhibition, etc., and join hands with Hong Kong and Macao to build a first-class humanistic Greater Bay Area.

以更高水平国际传播能力建设为牵引，推动美美与共、和合共生。以承办APEC会议为重大契机，强化“六外联动”、拓展“以文传声”，深化“深圳故事”城市文明交流计划，用更高质量的故事、更本真的影像、更可感的话语，全面提升国际传播效能，向世界呈现真实、立体、可信、可亲、可敬的中国。文化强国建设高峰论坛与文博会“双星并耀”，把文化自信转化为国际表达；升级多语种平台，做强“短视频+纪录片+城市大片”内容矩阵；打造“深圳全球传播使者”方阵，壮大在华外籍创作者队伍；深化深港澳共读、数字设计三城展等IP影响力，携手港澳共建一流人文湾区。

Looking to the future, Shenzhen will continue to be guided by Xi Jinping's Cultural Thought, [16]16 Xi Jinping's Cultural Thought (习近平文化思想) was formally articulated at the National Conference on Propaganda and Cultural Work in October 2023, emphasizing the role of culture in national rejuvenation. take root in the profound and extensive Chinese civilization, follow the development trend of information technology, anchor the strategic positioning of "model of urban civilization," bravely serve as a cultural pioneer of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era, plant the roots of cultural confidence deeper, spread the wings of cultural innovation wider, walk the path of cultural benefit for the people more solidly, and open the window of cultural openness wider. With each "visible and tangible" new cultural landmark, each "implementable and promotable" new institutional supply, and each batch of "breakout and far-reaching" fine works, vigorously enhance the power of ideological guidance, spiritual cohesion, value appeal, and international influence, contributing to the manifestation of national cultural soft power and accelerating the construction of a strong socialist culture.

面向未来，深圳将继续以习近平文化思想为指引，植根博大精深的中华文明、顺应信息技术发展潮流，锚定“城市文明典范”战略定位，勇当新时代中国特色社会主义文化先锋，把文化自信之根扎得更深、把文化创新之翼展得更广、把文化惠民之路走得更实、把文化开放之窗开得更大，以一个个“看得见、摸得着”的文化新地标，一项项“落得下、推得动”的制度新供给，一批批“出得圈、走得远”的精品，大力提升思想引领力、精神凝聚力、价值感召力、国际影响力，为彰显国家文化软实力、加快建设社会主义文化强国贡献力量。

(Authors: Shi Xuezheng, Chen Jiaxi, Li Danzhou, respectively Director of the Theory Division of the Publicity Department of the Shenzhen Municipal Party Committee and Deputy Director of the Editorial Committee of *Shenzhen Social Sciences*; Vice President and Professor of the Shenzhen Reform and Opening-up Cadre College; Associate Professor of the School of Government and Management, Shenzhen University)

（作者：史学正 陈家喜 李丹舟，分别系深圳市委宣传部理论处处长、《深圳社会科学》编委会副主任，深圳改革开放干部学院副院长、教授，深圳大学政府管理学院副教授）

Online Editor: Huihui

网络编辑：慧慧