Constructing a Powerful Cultural Self in Contemporary China

Xi Jinping Thought on Culture takes the “Two Integrations” as its core methodology, systematically answering the questions of the times in the cultural sphere, and forming the essential chapter of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era—the cultural chapter. Xi Jinping Thought on Culture not only regards culture as a living organism, but also puts forward the original concept of the “cultural self,” that is, “a firm self in the cultural sense.” [1]1 “A firm self in the cultural sense” is a phrase used by Xi Jinping in his speech at a symposium on cultural heritage and development in June 2023. A state or nation as an entity always possesses multiple facets such as politics, economy, culture, and society, and culture is its “bloodline and soul.” The cultural self is the core of a nation’s self-awareness, the foundation of its existence, the driving force of its development, and the confidence with which it faces the future. In this sense, the new cultural mission of the New Era—to promote cultural prosperity and build a strong cultural country—is to construct a powerful cultural self in contemporary China. Or, to put it another way, constructing a powerful self in the cultural sense is the fundamental task of cultural construction in the New Era.

习近平文化思想以“两个结合”为核心方法论，系统回答文化领域的时代之问，形成了习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的本质性篇章——文化篇。习近平文化思想不仅把文化视为生命体，而且提出了“文化自我”,即“文化意义上坚定的自我”这一原创性概念。作为实体的国家、民族总是具有政治、经济、文化、社会等多重面相，而文化是其“血脉与灵魂”,文化自我乃是国家、民族自我意识的核心，是其存在的根基、发展的动力和面向未来的底气。在此意义上，推动文化繁荣、建设文化强国的新时代新的文化使命，就是要构建当代中国强大的文化自我。或者说，构建文化意义上的强大自我，乃是新时代文化建设的根本任务。

“A nation or a country must know who it is, where it comes from, and where it is going. Once it has thought this through clearly and correctly, it must unswervingly advance toward its goal.” [2]2 This is a quotation from Xi Jinping’s speech at the opening ceremony of the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting in December 2017. The fortunes of culture are intertwined with the fortunes of the nation; the cultural lineage is linked to the national lineage. The “cultural self” refers to a nation’s subjective cultural identity system formed in historical practice, and also encompasses core propositions such as “who am I,” “where do I come from,” and “where am I going.” At the beginning of the entry of socialism with Chinese characteristics into the New Era, after decades of rapid economic development through reform and opening up, China found itself in a world of unprecedented cultural turbulence, with problems such as the penetration of Western ideology, the fragmentation of traditional value symbols, and the lack of innovation in modern culture becoming prominent. General Secretary Xi Jinping, confronting these problems and challenges directly, put forward a series of new concepts, ideas, and strategies, which in fact constitute a systematic exposition of the “five questions of identity” concerning the contemporary Chinese cultural self: who am I, where do I come from, where am I going, what is my essence, and how is it verified. This forms a complete logical system of “subjectivity (who am I)—historicity (where do I come from)—directionality (where am I going)—essentiality (what is my essence)—practicality (how is it verified),” providing a systematic guide for constructing a powerful cultural self in contemporary China, and also offering a theoretical program for resolving the predicament of the “cultural self” in general.

“一个民族、一个国家，必须知道自己是谁，是从哪里来的，要到哪里去，想明白了、想对了，就要坚定不移朝着目标前进。”文运同国运相牵，文脉同国脉相连。“文化自我”是指一个民族在历史实践中形成的、具有主体性的文化身份系统，也包含“我是谁”“从何而来”“向何而去”等核心命题。在中国特色社会主义进入新时代之初，经过数十年改革开放的经济快速发展，中国身处文化空前激荡的世界，西方意识形态渗透、传统价值符号碎片化、现代文化创新乏力等问题凸显，习近平总书记直面这些问题和挑战，提出了一系列新理念新思想新战略，事实上构成了有关当代中国文化自我的“身份五问”,即我是谁、从何而来、向何而去、本质为何、如何确证的系统论述，形成“主体性(我是谁)—历史性(从何而来)—方向性(向何而去)—本质性(本质为何)—实践性(如何确证)”的完整逻辑体系，为构建当代中国强大的文化自我提供了系统的行动指南，也为一般意义上破解“文化自我”困境提供了理论纲领。

I. “Who Am I”: Elevating the Cultural Subjectivity of the Chinese Nation

一、“我是谁”:高扬中华民族的文化主体性

“Who am I” is originally a philosophical question, especially one of the philosophy of the human person. To ask “who am I” is the awakening of human self-awareness, that is, when the self begins to take itself as an object, to perceive, reflect on, and confirm its own state of existence, its thinking activities, and its relationship with the world, especially with others. This questioning first implies self-knowledge; self-knowledge is an awakening at the cognitive level. “He who knows himself is wise” [3]3 “He who knows himself is wise” is a classical Chinese saying from the *Laozi* (also known as the *Daodejing*), a foundational Daoist text.—self-knowledge is the epistemological foundation of clear self-awareness. Second, it implies self-consciousness; self-consciousness is the practical deepening of self-knowledge, “knowing who one should strive to become” on the basis of “knowing who one is.” Therefore, self-consciousness always implies active behavior driven by self-cognition. Finally, it implies self-confidence; self-confidence is trust in and affirmation of one’s own identity and ability, and it strengthens the capacity for action through conviction. Only after having self-knowledge, self-consciousness, and self-confidence can one achieve self-reliance; self-reliance is the practical result of self-confidence, and self-strengthening is the continuous upward spiritual driving force. “He who overcomes himself is strong” [4]4 “He who overcomes himself is strong” is also from the *Laozi*.—the essence of overcoming oneself is self-transcendence, which is realized through the practice of self-confidence, self-reliance, and self-strengthening on the basis of self-knowledge and self-consciousness.

“我是谁”本是一个哲学问题特别是人的哲学问题。追问“我是谁”乃是人的自我意识的觉醒，即自我开始以自身为对象，对自身存在状态、思维活动及其与世界的关系尤其是与他者的关系进行觉察、反思与确认。这一追问首先意味着自知，自知是认知层面的觉醒。“自知者明”——自知是清晰的自我意识的知识论基础。其次是自觉，自觉是对自知的实践深化，在“知道自己是谁”的基础上“知道自己应该努力成为谁”。因此，自觉总是意味着自我认知驱动的主动行为。最后是自信，自信是对自我身份与能力的信任、肯定，并以信念强化行动力。有了自知、自觉、自信之后才能自立，自立是自信的实践结果，自强则是持续向上的精神动力。“自胜者强”——自胜的本质是自我超越，它在自知、自觉的基础上，通过自信、自立、自强的实践来实现。

The consciousness of the contemporary Chinese cultural self is the same. First, General Secretary Xi Jinping has put forward a series of requirements for “clarifying” and “understanding,” which in fact means achieving cultural self-knowledge of the national self. For example, General Secretary Xi Jinping requires “clarifying the historical origins, developmental context, and basic direction of fine traditional Chinese culture, clarifying the unique creations, value concepts, and distinctive features of Chinese culture”; he emphasizes the need to “educate and guide the masses, especially young people, to better understand and identify with Chinese civilization,” “to understand the historical context of the origin and development of Chinese civilization, to understand the splendid achievements of Chinese civilization, and to understand the significant contributions of Chinese civilization to human civilization.” [5]5 These are paraphrases of Xi Jinping’s remarks on various occasions, including a speech at a forum on literature and art in October 2014 and instructions on cultural heritage work. Second, General Secretary Xi Jinping attaches great importance to cultural self-consciousness, pointing out that “the Communist Party of China is a party with a high degree of cultural self-consciousness,” and has always made “enhancing cultural self-consciousness” an important requirement for propaganda, ideology, and cultural work. [6]6 This refers to Xi Jinping’s speech at a conference on propaganda, ideology, and cultural work in August 2018. Finally, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasizes the extreme importance of strengthening cultural confidence. He believes that “cultural confidence is a more basic, deeper, and more enduring force in the development of a country and a nation”; “strengthening cultural confidence is a major issue concerning the rise and fall of the nation’s fortunes, cultural security, and the independence of the national spirit.” [7]7 These are quotations from Xi Jinping’s speech at a conference on literature and art in October 2014 and his speech at a ceremony marking the 95th anniversary of the founding of the CPC in July 2016. Strengthening cultural confidence has become the primary guideline and core principle for cultural construction in the New Era. “Must adhere to self-confidence and self-reliance” has become one of the worldviews, methodologies, and standpoints and methods running through Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. [8]8 “Must adhere to self-confidence and self-reliance” is one of the six “musts” (必须) listed as the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought in the report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC in October 2022. Moreover, as can be seen from numerous expositions, the Party leading the people to “be confident and self-reliant, uphold fundamental principles and break new ground, and take overall charge of the great struggle, the great project, the great cause, and the great dream, has created the great achievements of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a New Era”; [9]9 This is a quotation from the report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC. “Chinese-path modernization requires not only great abundance of material wealth, but also great abundance of spiritual wealth and self-confidence and self-reliance in ideology and culture.” [10]10 This is a paraphrase of Xi Jinping’s remarks on Chinese-path modernization. In fact, building a strong cultural country is the goal of self-strengthening for the contemporary Chinese cultural self today, and cultural confidence is the prerequisite for self-reliance and self-strengthening. In this sense, “who am I” is also the overarching question for constructing a powerful cultural self in contemporary China, and “where do I come from,” “where am I going,” “what is my essence,” and “how is it verified” are all sub-discussions of this overarching question.

当代中国文化自我的意识也是如此。首先，习近平总书记提出一系列“说清楚”和“认识”的要求，其实就是要求达到民族自我的文化自知。例如，习近平总书记要求“讲清楚中华优秀传统文化的历史渊源、发展脉络、基本走向，讲清楚中华文化的独特创造、价值理念、鲜明特色”;强调要“教育引导群众特别是青少年更好认识和认同中华文明”,“教育引导广大干部群众特别是青少年认识中华文明起源和发展的历史脉络，认识中华文明取得的灿烂成就，认识中华文明对人类文明的重大贡献”。其次，习近平总书记高度重视文化自觉，指出“中国共产党是具有高度文化自觉的党”,并始终把“增强文化自觉”作为宣传思想文化工作的重要要求。最后，习近平总书记强调坚定文化自信的极端重要性。他认为“文化自信是一个国家、一个民族发展中最基本、最深沉、最持久的力量”;“坚定文化自信，是事关国运兴衰、事关文化安全、事关民族精神独立性的大问题”。坚定文化自信成为新时代文化建设的首要遵循和核心原则。“必须坚持自信自立”成为习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的世界观、方法论及贯穿其中的立场观点方法之一。而且，从众多论述可见，党领导人民“自信自强、守正创新，统揽伟大斗争、伟大工程、伟大事业、伟大梦想，创造了新时代中国特色社会主义的伟大成就”;“中国式现代化既要物质财富极大丰富，也要精神财富极大丰富、在思想文化上自信自强”。事实上，建成文化强国便是今日中国文化自我的自强目标，而文化自信则是自立自强的前提。在此意义上，“我是谁”也是构建当代中国强大的文化自我的总问题，“从何而来”“向何而去”“本质为何”“如何确证”等都是对这一总问题的分说。

Modern intellectual history, especially the history of philosophy, has a basic conclusion: the core of self-awareness lies in establishing subjectivity; only with subjectivity is there true self-awareness. For a nation or a country, cultural subjectivity is the foundation of the cultural “self-awareness.” As General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, “With cultural subjectivity, there is a firm self in the cultural sense”; “cultural confidence comes from our cultural subjectivity,” and cultural subjectivity is the “fundamental support” for cultural confidence; with cultural subjectivity, “the Communist Party of China has a powerful cultural force to lead the times, the Chinese nation and the Chinese people have a solid cultural foundation for national identity, and Chinese civilization has distinctive cultural characteristics for exchange and mutual learning with other civilizations in the world.” [11]11 These are quotations from Xi Jinping’s speech at a symposium on cultural heritage and development in June 2023. In a word, with cultural subjectivity, contemporary China can truly confirm “who I am” in the cultural sense, and strive to become the “self” as understood by itself. Cultural subjectivity is the fundamental support of the cultural self, and also the most intrinsic goal orientation of the development of the cultural self.

近现代思想史特别是哲学史有一个基本的结论：自我意识的核心在于确立主体性，有了主体性才真正有了自我意识。就一个民族、国家而言，文化主体性乃是文化“自我意识”的根基。正如习近平总书记指出的，“有了文化主体性，就有了文化意义上坚定的自我”;“文化自信就来自我们的文化主体性”,文化主体性是文化自信的“根本依托”;有了文化主体性，“中国共产党就有了引领时代的强大文化力量，中华民族和中国人民就有了国家认同的坚实文化基础，中华文明就有了和世界其他文明交流互鉴的鲜明文化特性”。一言以蔽之，有了文化主体性，当代中国才能在文化意义上真正确认“我是谁”,并努力成为自我所理解的“自我”。文化主体性是文化自我的根本依托，也是文化自我发展最内在的目标指向。

Regarding cultural subjectivity, General Secretary Xi Jinping has arrived at a law-like understanding from the perspective of world history: “For any culture to stand firm and go far, to have leading power, cohesive power, shaping power, and radiating power, it must have its own subjectivity”; [12]12 Ibid. from the history of the development of Chinese civilization over more than five thousand years, he has drawn a scientific conclusion: “Chinese civilization possesses cultural subjectivity and vigorous vitality for self-development, responding to challenges, and opening up new prospects”; [13]13 Ibid. from the perspective of strengthening cultural confidence and adhering to the “Two Integrations” in the New Era, he has elucidated a great achievement: the Party leading the people has established and consolidated cultural subjectivity in the modern sense; from the Party’s century-long struggle, especially the struggles of the New Era, he has revealed three basic experiences for establishing cultural subjectivity: “This subjectivity was established by the Communist Party of China leading the Chinese people on Chinese soil; it was established on the basis of creatively transforming and innovatively developing fine traditional Chinese culture, inheriting revolutionary culture, and developing advanced socialist culture, while drawing on and absorbing all outstanding achievements of human civilization; it was established through combining the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with fine traditional Chinese culture”; [14]14 Ibid. from the perspective of the latest achievements in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, he points out the powerful embodiment of cultural subjectivity: “The creation of Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the most powerful embodiment of this cultural subjectivity.” [15]15 Ibid.

关于文化主体性，习近平总书记从世界历史高度得出一个规律性认识：“任何文化要立得住、行得远，要有引领力、凝聚力、塑造力、辐射力，就必须有自己的主体性”;从五千多年中华文明发展史中得出一个科学结论：“中华文明具有自我发展、回应挑战、开创新局的文化主体性与旺盛生命力”;从新时代坚定文化自信、坚持“两个结合”的角度阐明了一个伟大成就：党领导人民建立和巩固了现代意义上的文化主体性；从党的百余年奋斗历程特别是新时代的奋斗中揭示了建立文化主体性的三条基本经验：“这一主体性是中国共产党带领中国人民在中国大地上建立起来的；是在创造性转化、创新性发展中华优秀传统文化，继承革命文化，发展社会主义先进文化的基础上，借鉴吸收人类一切优秀文明成果的基础上建立起来的；是通过把马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际、同中华优秀传统文化相结合建立起来的”;从马克思主义中国化时代化最新成果的角度指出文化主体性的有力体现：“创立新时代中国特色社会主义思想就是这一文化主体性的最有力体现”。

The cultural self of contemporary China is Chinese culture, but it is not the past, self-existing Chinese culture; rather, it is a new cultural life-form formed through the “integration” [the Two Integrations], the core of which lies in cultural subjectivity. As General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, Chinese civilization and Chinese culture have always possessed cultural subjectivity. However, in modern times, the cultural life of the Chinese nation was once on the verge of extinction, and national cultural subjectivity was nearly lost. It was the Communist Party of China that transformed the Chinese people’s spirit from passive to active, led the people to rebuild cultural subjectivity in the modern sense, and consolidated cultural subjectivity through the “Two Integrations,” especially the “Second Integration” — this itself is an important manifestation of “the Chinese nation’s cultural subjectivity in self-development, responding to challenges, and creating new situations,” and precisely because of this, contemporary China has a firm cultural self. On the one hand, cultural subjectivity is the cultural representation of the subjectivity of the Chinese nation; on the other hand, the subjectivity of the Chinese nation is the concrete embodiment of cultural subjectivity. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, as the essence of the times of Chinese culture and the Chinese spirit, epitomizes the cultural subjectivity of contemporary China and also indicates that contemporary China’s cultural subjectivity has three important dimensions: first, the ideological soul, namely Marxism as the spiritual vein of the new cultural life-form, which occupies a guiding position; second, the historical foundation, namely the fine traditional Chinese culture as the root vein of the new cultural life-form, which embodies genetic inheritance; third, the practical vitality, namely contemporary practice that makes the new qualities of the new cultural life-form possible in reality, which lies in innovation and creation.

当今中国的文化自我就是中华文化，但它不是过往自在的中华文化，而是经由“结合”而形成的新的文化生命体，其核心就在于文化主体性。正如习近平总书记指出的，中华文明及中华文化一直具有文化主体性。但是，近代中华民族的文化生命曾经奄奄一息，民族文化主体性也几近丧失。是中国共产党使中国人的精神由被动转向主动，领导人民重建了现代意义上的文化主体性，并通过“两个结合”特别是“第二个结合”巩固了文化主体性——这本身就是“中华民族具有自我发展、回应挑战、开创新局的文化主体性”的重要体现，也正因如此，当代中国才有了文化意义上坚定的自我。一方面，文化主体性是中华民族主体性的文化表征；另一方面，中华民族主体性是文化主体性的现实体现。作为中华文化和中国精神时代精华的习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想集中体现了当代中国的文化主体性，也表明当今中国的文化主体性有着三重重要维度：一是思想灵魂，即作为新的文化生命体的魂脉的马克思主义，其处于指导地位；二是历史根基，即作为新的文化生命体的根脉的中华优秀传统文化，其体现基因传承；三是现实活力，即让新的文化生命体的新质在现实上成为可能的当代实践，其在于创新创造。

Today, the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation, with “human civilization standing at a crossroads of where to go.” Against this backdrop, “Western-centrism” has exerted a tremendous impact on the cultural subjectivity of the Chinese nation, such as the infiltration of “universal values” and the commercialization of cultural symbols. In the ideological, cultural, and artistic circles, phenomena such as “worshipping the West,” “taking the West as the standard,” “following only the West,” blindly imitating others, and being keen on “de-ideologization,” “de-valuation,” “de-historicization,” “de-Sinicization,” and “de-mainstreamization” are still relatively

今天，世界进入新的动荡变革期，“人类文明站在何去何从的十字路口”。在此背景下，“西方中心主义”对中华民族文化主体性造成极大冲击，如“普世价值”渗透、文化符号商业化等。在思想文化艺术界，“以洋为尊”“以洋为美”“唯洋是从”,跟在别人后面亦步亦趋、东施效颦，热衷于“去思想化”“去价值化”“去历史化”“去中国化”“去主流化”等情况还比较严重。习近平总书记明确强调，“高扬中华民族的文化主体性，把历经沧桑留下的中华文明瑰宝呵护好、弘扬好、发展好，是当代中国共产党人的历史责任和神圣使命”;必须“坚守中华文化立场，提炼展示中华文明的精神标识和文化精髓”,增强文化自觉，坚定文化自信。总之，知道“我是谁”,始终拥有文化意义上清醒的自我意识、高度的自我认同，是使文化自我变得更加强大的前提。

It must be pointed out that the consciousness of the contemporary Chinese cultural self is not only a core proposition in the cultural field, but also a key link in the overall strategy of building a strong country. Xi Jinping’s cultural thought in fact places cultural subjectivity within the overall framework of the “Five-Sphere Integrated Plan” [16]16 The Five-Sphere Integrated Plan (五位一体) refers to China’s overall plan for promoting economic, political, cultural, social, and ecological progress. and the “Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy” [17]17 The Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy (四个全面) refers to comprehensively building a modern socialist country, comprehensively deepening reform, comprehensively governing the country according to law, and comprehensively and strictly governing the Party., and even within the coordinated consideration of the “two overall situations” [18]18 The “two overall situations” (两个大局) refers to the overall strategy for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the changes unseen in a century in the world. of the overall strategy for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the changes unseen in a century in the world. It emphasizes the systematic linkage between a culturally strong country and national strategies such as a strong country in science and technology, a strong country in talent, and a strong manufacturing country — culture provides value guidance and spiritual impetus for scientific and technological innovation, shapes the humanistic foundation and value coordinates for talent development, while the development of science, technology, and talent in turn feeds back into the creative transformation and international dissemination of culture. This multi-dimensional synergistic relationship is precisely the fundamental guarantee for the “firm cultural self in the sense of culture” to take root and play a leading role.

需要指出的是，当代中国文化自我的意识不仅是文化领域的核心命题，更是强国建设整体战略的关键环节。习近平文化思想事实上将文化主体性置于“五位一体”总体布局、“四个全面”战略布局乃至中华民族伟大复兴战略全局和世界百年未有之大变局的“两个大局”中统筹考量，强调文化强国与科技强国、人才强国、制造强国等国家战略的系统性联动——文化为科技创新提供价值引领和精神动力，为人才成长塑造人文根基和价值坐标，而科技与人才的发展又反哺文化的创造转化和国际传播。这种多维度的协同关系，正是“文化意义上坚定的自我”得以扎根并发挥引领作用的根本保障。

II. “Where It Comes From”: Manifesting the Continuity of Civilizational Foundations

二、“从何而来”:彰显一脉相承的文明根基

The self-consciousness and self-identity of “who I am” are in fact the self understood through reflective activities, in which historical continuity plays a key role. That is to say, “who I am” is the overarching question, while “where it comes from” and “where it is going” both serve to explain “who I am” as the overarching question. “If we do not understand China from the perspective of its long-standing historical continuity, it is impossible to understand ancient China, nor modern China, nor future China.” [19]19 Xi Jinping, speech at the symposium on cultural heritage and development, June 2, 2023. However, only by not forgetting the origins can we open up the future. The question of “where it comes from” is undoubtedly more foundational than the question of “where it is going” — “History is the root of reality; any country’s today comes from its yesterday. Only by understanding where a country comes from can we understand why its today is this way and not that way, and only then can we figure out where that country will go and where it will not go in the future”; [20]20 Xi Jinping, speech at the opening ceremony of the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting, December 1, 2017. “Contemporary China is the continuation and development of historical China, and contemporary Chinese thought and culture are also the inheritance and elevation of traditional Chinese thought and culture.” [21]21 Xi Jinping, speech at the opening ceremony of the International Conference on the 40th Anniversary of Reform and Opening Up, December 18, 2018. Chinese Communists are not historical nihilists or cultural nihilists; they consciously position themselves as faithful inheritors and promoters of fine traditional Chinese culture. General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized that “forgetting history means betrayal,” [22]22 Xi Jinping, speech at the ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Long March, October 21, 2016. and stressed the importance of not forgetting one’s ancestors or belittling oneself, with the aim of positioning “who I am” from the perspective of remembering “where it comes from,” and always adhering to a sober and firm cultural self.

“我是谁”的自我意识与自我认同事实上是经过反思性活动理解的自我，历史连续性在其中发挥着关键作用。也就是说，“我是谁”是总问题，“从何而来”与“向何而去”都是在说明作为总问题的“我是谁”。“如果不从源远流长的历史连续性来认识中国，就不可能理解古代中国，也不可能理解现代中国，更不可能理解未来中国”。不过，不忘本来，方能开辟未来。“从何而来”的问题无疑比“向何而去”的问题更具前提性——“历史是现实的根源，任何一个国家的今天都来自昨天。只有了解一个国家从哪里来，才能弄懂这个国家今天怎么会是这样而不是那样，也才能搞清楚这个国家未来会往哪里去和不会往哪里去”;“当代中国是历史中国的延续和发展，当代中国思想文化也是中国传统思想文化的传承和升华”。中国共产党人不是历史虚无主义者、文化虚无主义者，而是自觉地把自己定位为中华优秀传统文化的忠实传承者和弘扬者。习近平总书记多次强调“忘记历史就意味着背叛”,强调不能数典忘祖、妄自菲薄，目的就是从牢记“从何而来”的角度定位“我是谁”,始终坚持清醒而坚定的文化自我。

The cultural history and civilizational history of the Chinese nation have laid the profound foundation for the contemporary Chinese cultural self. Research results from major projects such as the Project on Tracing the Origins of Chinese Civilization have already proven that the Chinese nation has a history of one million years of humanity, ten thousand years of culture, and over five thousand years of civilization. “Through long-term cultural inheritance and development, and the continuous progress of civilization, the spiritual foundation, value essence, and source of strength of the Chinese nation have been established and consolidated,” [23]23 Xi Jinping, speech at the symposium on cultural heritage and development, June 2, 2023. that is, the cultural self of the Chinese nation has been truly established. The cultural self we speak of today, namely Chinese culture, includes fine traditional Chinese culture, revolutionary culture, and advanced socialist culture, among which revolutionary culture and advanced socialist culture both originate from fine traditional Chinese culture. “Why has the Chinese nation been able to thrive, pass down its torch, and develop tenaciously over thousands of years of history? A very important reason is that the Chinese nation has a consistent spiritual pursuit, spiritual characteristics, and spiritual lineage,” [24]24 Xi Jinping, speech at the opening ceremony of the International Conference on the 40th Anniversary of Reform and Opening Up, December 18, 2018. “the core content of which has become the most basic cultural genes of the Chinese nation,” [25]25 Xi Jinping, speech at the opening ceremony of the International Conference on the 40th Anniversary of Reform and Opening Up, December 18, 2018. rooted in the hearts of the Chinese people, subtly influencing their ways of thinking and behavior. From the perspective of the grand view of history, this fine traditional Chinese culture is the crystallization of wisdom and the essence of Chinese civilization. “Chinese civilization, with its long history and profound richness, is the unique spiritual symbol of the Chinese nation and the foundation of contemporary Chinese culture.” [26]26 Xi Jinping, speech at the symposium on cultural heritage and development, June 2, 2023. Outstanding characteristics such as continuity, innovation, unity, inclusiveness, and peace are the distinctive markers that distinguish Chinese civilization from other civilizations. The core of these outstanding characteristics lies in the fact that, during its long evolution, Chinese civilization “has formed a unique value system, cultural connotation, and spiritual quality for Chinese people to view the world, society, and life, which is the fundamental feature that distinguishes us from other countries and nations.” [27]27 Xi Jinping, speech at the opening ceremony of the International Conference on the 40th Anniversary of Reform and Opening Up, December 18, 2018.

中华民族的文化史、文明史奠定了当代中国文化自我的深厚根基。中华文明探源工程等重大工程的研究成果已经证明，中华民族有百万年的人类史、一万年的文化史、五千多年的文明史，“在长期的文化传承发展、文明赓续进步中确立和巩固中华民族的精神之基、价值之本、力量之源”,也就是真正确立了中华民族的文化自我。今天我们所讲的文化自我即中华文化，就包含着中华优秀传统文化、革命文化和社会主义先进文化，其中革命文化和社会主义先进文化都渊源于中华优秀传统文化。“为什么中华民族能够在几千年的历史长河中生生不息、薪火相传、顽强发展呢?很重要的一个原因就是中华民族有一脉相承的精神追求、精神特质、精神脉络”,“其中最核心的内容已经成为中华民族最基本的文化基因”,其植根在中国人内心，潜移默化影响着中国人的思想方式和行为方式。在大历史观中，这种中华优秀传统文化是中华文明的智慧结晶和精华所在。“中华文明源远流长、博大精深，是中华民族独特的精神标识，是当代中国文化的根基”。连续性、创新性、统一性、包容性、和平性等突出特性是中华文明区别于其他文明的鲜明标识。这些突出特性的内核就在于中华文明在长期演进过程中“形成了中国人看待世界、看待社会、看待人生的独特价值体系、文化内涵和精神品质，这是我们区别于其他国家和民族的根本特征”。

Chinese culture and Chinese civilization are the common spiritual home of all Chinese people. For thousands of years, the Chinese nation has strengthened the bond of blood and cultural inheritance through activities such as worshipping ancestors and holding grand ancestor worship ceremonies, closely linking individuals with the national community. This practice is both a cultural confirmation of “sharing the same root and origin” and a collective response to “who I am” — that is, we are all descendants of Yan and Huang, [28]28 “Descendants of Yan and Huang” (炎黄后裔) refers to the legendary Yan Emperor and Yellow Emperor, considered the common ancestors of the Chinese nation. jointly creating Chinese civilization. General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly pointed out, “The history of China is a history of all ethnic groups blending and converging into a pluralistic and unified Chinese nation, a history of all ethnic groups jointly creating, developing, and consolidating a unified great motherland.” [29]29 Xi Jinping, speech at the National Conference on Ethnic Unity and Progress, September 27, 2019. Today, we also need to specifically point out two things: on the one hand, “The soul of a nation is transformed and forged by culture. Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait share the same root, origin, script, and ethnicity. Chinese culture is the root and belonging of the hearts and souls of compatriots on both sides of the Strait.” [30]30 Xi Jinping, speech at the symposium on cultural heritage and development, June 2, 2023. A firm cultural self not only means identification with the pluralistic unity of the nation, but also means support for the reunification of the motherland; on the other hand, Chinese civilization, as the foundation of contemporary Chinese culture, is also “the spiritual bond that maintains the connection of Chinese people all over the world.” [31]31 Xi Jinping, speech at the opening ceremony of the International Conference on the 40th Anniversary of Reform and Opening Up, December 18, 2018.

中华文化、中华文明是中华儿女共同的精神家园。千百年来，中华民族通过祭祀始祖、举办拜祖大典等活动，强化血缘与文化传承的纽带作用，将个体与民族共同体紧密联结。这种实践既是对“同根同源”的文化确认，也是对“我是谁”的集体回应——即我们都是炎黄后裔，共同缔造了中华文明。习近平总书记深刻指出，“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”。在今天，我们还需要特别指出两点：一方面，“国家之魂，文以化之，文以铸之。两岸同胞同根同源、同文同种，中华文化是两岸同胞心灵的根脉和归属”,坚定的文化自我不仅意味着对国家多元一体的认同，而且意味着对祖国统一的支持；另一方面，作为当代中国文化根基的中华文明也是“维系全世界华人的精神纽带”。

Socialism with Chinese characteristics has emerged from over 5,000 years of Chinese civilization. It possesses a vast and profound historical depth and a deep cultural foundation. General Secretary Xi Jinping has profoundly pointed out, “Without the five thousand years of Chinese civilization, where would Chinese characteristics come from? Without Chinese characteristics, how could we have the successful path of socialism with Chinese characteristics that we have today?” [32]32 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Symposium on Cultural Heritage and Development” (June 2, 2023). The success of socialism with Chinese characteristics is due to the capability of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the efficacy of Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. Chinese-path modernization is, in essence, the modernization of socialism with Chinese characteristics led by the CPC. The reason Chinese-path modernization is “Chinese-style”—that is, possessing its “Chinese characteristics”—fundamentally lies, aside from the socialist system under the leadership of the CPC and the theoretical guidance of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, in the fact that “Chinese civilization endows Chinese-path modernization with profound depth.”

中国特色社会主义是从5000多年中华文明史中走出来的。中国特色社会主义有着宏阔深远的历史纵深和底蕴深厚的文化根基。习近平总书记深刻指出，“如果没有中华五千年文明，哪里有什么中国特色?如果不是中国特色，哪有我们今天这么成功的中国特色社会主义道路”。中国特色社会主义好，是因为中国共产党能、中国化时代化的马克思主义行。中国式现代化说到底是中国共产党领导的中国特色社会主义现代化。中国式现代化之所以是“中国式”即其所具有的“中国特色”,从根本上说，除开是因为中国共产党领导下的社会主义制度、马克思主义中国化时代化的理论指导外，还在于“中华文明赋予中国式现代化以深厚底蕴”。

III. “Where to Go”: Clarifying the New Cultural Mission of the New Era

三、“向何而去”:明确新时代新的文化使命

The imperative expression “constructing a powerful cultural self in contemporary China” indicates that it must transcend mere description of the current state of culture and historical review, entering the realm of how to respond to the times and participate in the future. “Where to go” is the more forward-looking and future-oriented part of cultural self-awareness, signifying the direction, goals, tasks, and mission of cultural development. In simple terms, “where to go” for the cultural self of contemporary China means understanding the ideal of the cultural self as a mission. If this mission is summarized in one sentence, it is “to work together to create a new culture belonging to our era.” [33]33 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Symposium on Cultural Heritage and Development” (June 2, 2023). Based on the New Era and the new journey, the primary task is to continue promoting cultural prosperity from a new starting point, actively develop a new culture that reflects the demands of the times and possesses the characteristics of the era, raise the level of cultural-ethical progress, and achieve comprehensive prosperity in both cultural undertakings and the cultural industry. Secondly, it is to clarify the goal of building China into a socialist cultural power by 2035, marking the cultural coordinates and providing cultural support for building a great modern socialist country. Finally, it is to “restore the glory of Chinese civilization,” achieving renewed brilliance and sustainable development of Chinese civilization on the basis of civilizational self-renewal, anchoring the civilizational course and providing a civilizational foundation for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

构建当代中国强大的文化自我，这一祈使性表达表明，它必须超越对文化的现状描述和历史回顾，进入如何回应时代、参与未来的层面。“向何而去”是文化自我意识中更具前瞻性和未来性的部分，意味着文化发展的方向、目标、任务和使命。当代中国文化自我“向何而去”,简单说就是对文化自我理想的使命化理解。这个使命如果用一句话概括，那就是“共同努力创造属于我们这个时代的新文化”。立足新时代新征程，首要的是在新的起点上继续推动文化繁荣，积极发展反映时代要求、具有时代特色的新文化，提高社会文明程度，实现文化事业和文化产业的全面繁荣；其次是明确到2035年要建成社会主义文化强国，为建成社会主义现代化强国标示文化坐标、提供文化支撑；最后是“推动中华文明重焕荣光”,在实现文明自我更新的基础上实现中华文明的再度辉煌和永续发展，为中华民族伟大复兴锚定文明航向、提供文明基础。

Upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground is the core principle of cultural self-development. Direction determines principles; principles ensure direction. If clarifying “where we come from” is about rectifying the source, then “where to go” implies upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground. On the one hand, as General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out, Chinese civilization itself possesses a prominent innovative character, which is the reason it has stood in the world as the most prosperous and powerful civilization for a long historical period. “The innovative nature of Chinese civilization fundamentally determines the enterprising spirit of the Chinese nation, which upholds fundamental principles without being conservative, and respects the ancients without blindly following the past.” [34]34 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Symposium on Cultural Heritage and Development” (June 2, 2023). On the other hand, in contemporary China in the New Era, it has been clarified that the stance, viewpoint, and method of upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground must be adhered to, and this has been established as an important principle for cultural inheritance and development. Particularly through the Second Integration, “Marxism is used to activate the excellent factors within traditional Chinese culture and endow them with new contemporary connotations, developing socialist culture with Chinese characteristics for the New Era.” [35]35 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Symposium on Cultural Heritage and Development” (June 2, 2023). In summary, to ensure the correct direction of “where to go,” it is necessary to “adhere to adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, inherit and develop the excellent traditional Chinese culture, promote the localization of foreign cultures, and continuously cultivate and create socialist culture with Chinese characteristics for the New Era.” [36]36 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Symposium on Cultural Heritage and Development” (June 2, 2023).

守正创新是文化自我发展的核心原则。方向决定原则，原则保证方向。如果说弄清楚“从何而来”是为了正本清源，那么“向何而去”就意味着守正创新。一方面，正如习近平总书记指出的，中华文明本身就具有突出的创新性，这是其能在很长历史时期内作为最繁荣最强大的文明体屹立于世的原因。“中华文明的创新性，从根本上决定了中华民族守正不守旧、尊古不复古的进取精神”。另一方面，在新时代的当代中国，明确了必须坚持守正创新的立场观点方法，并将之作为文化传承发展的重要原则。特别是通过“第二个结合”,“用马克思主义激活中华传统文化中的优秀因子并赋予其新的时代内涵，发展新时代中国特色社会主义文化”。总之，要保证“向何而去”的正确方向，必须“坚持马克思主义中国化时代化，传承发展中华优秀传统文化，促进外来文化本土化，不断培育和创造新时代中国特色社会主义文化”。

Developing the modern form of Chinese civilization is the goal and content of cultural self-development. Over five thousand years of Chinese civilization encountered the impact of Western modernization in modern times, leading to the tarnishing of its glory—a change unseen in millennia. Today, we must continue and develop ancient Chinese civilization, but not simply by extending it. Socialist culture with Chinese characteristics for the New Era is a national, scientific, and popular socialist culture oriented toward modernization, the world, and the future. Chinese-path modernization is the broad path to building a strong country and national rejuvenation. It is precisely through the Second Integration that Marxism, with the light of truth, has activated the genes of Chinese civilization, “leading China into the modern world and promoting the life renewal and modern transformation of Chinese civilization.” [37]37 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Symposium on Cultural Heritage and Development” (June 2, 2023). The Chinese-path modernization promoted by the CPC leading the people endows Chinese civilization with modern power. At the same time, the Second Integration also makes the new culture formed through “integration” the “cultural form of Chinese-path modernization.” [38]38 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Symposium on Cultural Heritage and Development” (June 2, 2023). Just as Chinese-path modernization is the fundamental path to realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, “building a cultural power concerns the overall situation of Chinese-path modernization, the great cause of national rejuvenation, and the enhancement of international competitiveness.” [39]39 Xi Jinping, “Report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC” (October 16, 2022). Constructing a powerful cultural self in contemporary China means, on the basis of forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, further developing the modern form of Chinese civilization, strengthening the cultural form of Chinese-path modernization, building a cultural power, and thereby consolidating the cultural foundation for building a strong country and national rejuvenation.

发展中华文明的现代形态是文化自我发展的目标内容。五千多年的中华文明在近代遭遇西方现代化的冲击而致使文明蒙尘，这是几千年未有之大变局。今天，我们要赓续中华古老文明，但不是简单地延续。新时代中国特色社会主义文化是面向现代化、面向世界、面向未来的，民族的科学的大众的社会主义文化。中国式现代化是强国建设、民族复兴的康庄大道。正是通过“第二个结合”,马克思主义以真理之光激活了中华文明的基因，“引领中国走进现代世界，推动了中华文明的生命更新和现代转型”。中国共产党领导人民推进的中国式现代化赋予中华文明以现代力量。同时，“第二个结合”也让经由“结合”而形成的新文化成为“中国式现代化的文化形态”。正如中国式现代化是实现中华民族伟大复兴的根本途径，而“建设文化强国，事关中国式现代化建设全局，事关中华民族复兴大业，事关提升国际竞争力”。构建当代中国强大的文化自我，就是要在铸牢中华民族共同体意识的基础上，进一步发展中华文明的现代形态，壮大中国式现代化的文化形态，建设文化强国，从而筑牢强国建设、民族复兴的文化根基。

Leading the progress of human civilization is an important mission for the development of contemporary Chinese cultural self. The development of the cultural self is always realized in a larger field where many other selves are present. The powerful cultural self that contemporary China seeks to construct is “a socialist culture with Chinese characteristics for the New Era that possesses strong ideological guidance, spiritual cohesion, value appeal, and international influence.” [40]40 Xi Jinping, “Report to the 20th National Congress of First, in the dimension of subject construction, the cultural self must face the world, go global, and enhance its own capacity for dissemination, influence, and appeal. Through literary and artistic creation, academic innovation, and international exchange, it must shape a credible, lovable, and respectable image of China, enabling Chinese culture to win the respect and recognition of people worldwide. Second, in the dimension of mutual learning among civilizations, the cultural self must adhere to a vision of embracing the world, promoting equal, mutually learning, dialogical, and inclusive civilizational exchanges. At the crossroads of where human civilization is headed, it must promote the harmonious coexistence of civilizations, leading the trend of human progress by promoting a community with a shared future for mankind and advocating the common values of all humanity. Finally, in the dimension of value contribution, the cultural self, by promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of Chinese civilization, showcases China’s unique value system and fosters the coexistence and co-prosperity of global multiculturalism.

引领人类文明进步是当代中国文化自我发展的重要使命。文化自我的发展一定是在更大的诸多他者在场的场域中实现的，当代中国所要构建的强大的文化自我是“具有强大思想引领力、精神凝聚力、价值感召力、国际影响力的新时代中国特色社会主义文化”。首先，在主体建构维度，文化自我必须面向世界、走向世界，增强自身的传播力、影响力与感召力，要通过文艺创作、学术创新与国际交流等途径，塑造可信、可爱、可敬的中国形象，让中国文化赢得世界人民的尊重与认同。其次，在文明互鉴维度，文化自我必须坚持胸怀天下的格局，推进平等、互鉴、对话、包容的文明交流，在人类文明何去何从的十字路口，推动文明和合共生，通过推动构建人类命运共同体、弘扬全人类共同价值引领人类进步潮流。最后，在价值贡献维度，文化自我通过推动中华文明创造性转化和创新性发展，展现中国独特价值体系，促进全球多元文化共存共荣。

IV. “What Is the Essence”: Revealing the Essential Characteristics of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics

四、“本质为何”:揭示中国特色社会主义本质特征

Essence is the inherent intrinsic attribute that distinguishes one thing from others, and it is also the core stipulation that constitutes the fundamental existence of that thing. The core stipulation and most essential marker that distinguishes the cultural self of contemporary China from other cultures or cultural others is that it is not of any other nature—for example, capitalist or feudalist culture—nor is it a general socialist culture; it is a culture of the nature of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The leadership of the CPC is the most essential characteristic of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the greatest strength of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics; therefore, it is also the fundamental stipulation of the contemporary Chinese cultural self. It is precisely under the leadership of the CPC that contemporary China has realized the Two Integrations, formed a new cultural life entity, possesses the cultural form of Chinese-path modernization and the modern form of Chinese civilization, and has created a new form of human civilization. The CPC “has always stood at the forefront of the times, leading cultural development and progress, and has led the people onto the path of socialist cultural development with Chinese characteristics. The most essential characteristic of this path is upholding the leadership of the Party.” [41]41 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Symposium on Cultural Heritage and Development” (June 2, 2023).

本质是一事物区别于其他事物的内在固有属性，也是构成该事物根本性存在的核心规定性。当代中国的文化自我区分于其他文化或文化他者的核心规定性和最本质的标识就是，它不是别的什么性质的，例如资本主义性质的、封建主义性质的文化，也不是一般性质的社会主义文化，而是中国特色社会主义性质的文化。中国共产党领导是中国特色社会主义最本质的特征，是中国特色社会主义制度的最大优势，因而也是当代中国文化自我的根本规定。正是在中国共产党的领导下，当代中国实现了“两个结合”,形成了新的文化生命体，拥有了中国式现代化的文化形态、中华文明的现代形态，创造了人类文明新形态。中国共产党“始终站在时代前列，引领文化发展进步，带领人民走出了中国特色社会主义文化发展道路。这条道路最本质的特征，就是坚持党的领导”。

The cultural self of contemporary China is essentially a deep integration of Marxism and Chinese civilization. Contemporary Chinese culture is a new cultural life entity, the result of the Communist Party of China combining the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the finest traditional Chinese culture. In this process, on the premise of mutual compatibility, the basic tenets of Marxism and the finest traditional Chinese culture interpenetrate each other—that is, “the essence of Marxist thought is connected with the essence of the finest traditional Chinese culture and integrated with the common values that the people unconsciously hold in daily life” [41]41 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Symposium on Cultural Heritage and Development” (June 2, 2023).—making Marxism Chinese, while the finest traditional Chinese culture enriches Marxism with cultural life; Marxism provides the finest traditional Chinese culture with a scientific method for “modern transformation,” making it modern. In the new cultural life entity, Marxism is the soul, and the finest traditional Chinese culture is the root; the soul and the root together constitute the lifeblood of the new cultural life entity. This lifeblood plays a decisive, core, and critical role in the development and strengthening of the contemporary Chinese cultural self; severing it would lead to subversive errors; without it, the contemporary Chinese cultural self would cease to exist.

当代中国文化自我本质上是马克思主义与中华文明的深度融合。当代中国文化是新的文化生命体，是中国共产党领导下把马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合、同中华优秀传统文化相结合的结果。在此过程中，在彼此契合的前提下，马克思主义基本原理同中华优秀传统文化相互融贯，即“马克思主义思想精髓同中华优秀传统文化精华贯通起来、同人民群众日用而不觉的共同价值观念融通起来”,使马克思主义成为中国的，中华优秀传统文化为马克思主义充实了文化生命；马克思主义为中华优秀传统文化提供“现代性转化”的科学方法，使之成为现代的。在新的文化生命体中，马克思主义是魂脉，中华优秀传统文化是根脉，魂脉和根脉加起来就是新的文化生命体的命脉。这一命脉在当代中国文化自我的发展、壮大中起着决定性的核心、关键作用，割裂了它，就会犯颠覆性错误；离开了它，当代中国文化自我就不复存在。

The core of the contemporary Chinese cultural self is Chinese values. The core of culture is values; Chinese values are the value system that embodies the specific characteristics of the contemporary Chinese cultural self. Among them, the core socialist values serve as the value guidance of the cultural self. The national value pursuit of prosperity, democracy, civility, and harmony is the value goal of contemporary China at the national level; the social value orientation of freedom, equality, justice, and the rule of law is the value yardstick for promoting social progress in contemporary China; the civic value standard of patriotism, dedication, integrity, and friendship is the value norm for pursuing the comprehensive development of individuals in contemporary China. The common values of all humanity are the basic value principles of contemporary China. The common values of all humanity—peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom—are the common value pursuits of people of all countries, the greatest common denominator and value consensus among the diverse values of the world, and the value core of building a community with a shared future for mankind. The common values of all humanity have been revealed and condensed by China into a conscious form and have been exemplarily practiced in China. Putting the people first is the most fundamental value stipulation of contemporary China. The reason contemporary China can take the core socialist values as its value guidance and consciously take the common values of all humanity as its basic value principles is that contemporary China is a socialist China led by the Communist Party of China, and because the Communist Party of China adheres to the most fundamental value stipulation of putting the people first.

当代中国文化自我的内核是中国价值。文化的核心是价值，中国价值是体现中国文化自我特质的价值体系。其中，社会主义核心价值观是文化自我的价值引领。富强、民主、文明、和谐的国家价值追求，是当代中国在国家层面的价值目标；自由、平等、公正、法治的社会价值取向，是当代中国推动社会进步的价值尺度；爱国、敬业、诚信、友善的公民价值准则，是当代中国追求主体全面发展的价值规范。全人类共同价值是当代中国的基本价值遵循。和平、发展、公平、正义、民主、自由的全人类共同价值是世界各国人民的共同价值追求，是世界各国多样价值观的最大公约数和价值共识，是构建人类命运共同体的价值内核。全人类共同价值由中国揭示和凝练而成为自觉形态，并在中国得到模范践行。人民至上是当代中国最根本的价值规定。当代中国之所以能以社会主义核心价值观为价值引领、自觉以全人类共同价值为基本价值遵循，是因为当代中国是中国共产党领导的社会主义中国，是因为中国共产党坚持人民至上这一最根本的价值规定。

The contemporary Chinese cultural self is a cultural self with a principled height. Constructing the contemporary Chinese cultural self certainly aims for strength, with the near-term goal of building a strong cultural country, but it is by no means the same as general national cultural construction, especially that of Western countries. Marx, regarding Germany at that time, proposed a “solution” and practical task—“to realize a practice à la hauteur des principes [at the height of principles], that is, a revolution that not only raises Germany to the official level of modern countries but to the human height that these countries will reach in the near future” [42]42 Karl Marx, “Introduction to a Contribution to the Critique of Hegel’s Philosophy of Right,” in Marx and Engels Collected Works, vol. 3 (Beijing: People’s Publishing House, 2002), p. 207.—this principled height that modern Western countries have not yet reached and will “reach in the near future” is the height of humanity, ultimately realized as the free and comprehensive development of individuals. The greatest drawback of Western modernization is that it is capital-centered, seeing things but not people. In the process of advancing and expanding Chinese-path modernization, China has made clear that the essence of modernization is the modernization of people, consciously adhering to putting the people first and being people-centered, highlighting the people-centered nature of modernization. At the same time, people are understood as “active, comprehensive people, not rigid, ‘one-dimensional’ people”; common prosperity for all people includes not only common prosperity in material life but also common prosperity in spiritual life; the coordination of material and cultural-ethical progress means not only great abundance in material wealth but also great abundance in spiritual wealth, achieving confidence and self-reliance in ideology and culture, so that all people always possess the ideological foundation for united struggle, the proactive spirit for pioneering and innovation, and healthy and upward value pursuits. The ultimate purpose of building material and cultural-ethical progress is to promote the comprehensive development of people. As the cultural form of Chinese-path modernization and the modern form of Chinese civilization, the contemporary Chinese cultural self is precisely the conscious core of this practice at the height of principles.

当代中国文化自我是有原则高度的文化自我。构建当代中国文化自我固然要追求强大，以建成文化强国为近期目标，但是它绝不同于一般国家特别是西方国家文化建设。马克思就当年的德国提出的“解决办法”、实践任务——“实现有原则高度的[à la hauteur des principes]实践，即实现一个不但能把德国提高到现代各国的正式水准，而且提高到这些国家最近的将来要达到的人的高度的革命”——这个西方现代国家尚未达到、其“最近的将来要达到的”原则高度就是人的高度，最终落实为人的自由全面发展。西方现代化的最大弊端就是以资本为中心，见物不见人。在推进和拓展中国式现代化过程中，中国明确现代化的本质是人的现代化，自觉坚持人民至上、坚持以人民为中心，突出现代化的人民性。同时，把人理解为“能动的、全面的人，而不是僵化的、‘单向度’的人”,全体人民共同富裕不仅包括物质生活上的共同富裕，而且包括精神生活上的共同富裕；物质文明和精神文明相协调就是既要物质财富极大丰富，也要精神财富极大丰富，在思想文化上自信自强，让全体人民始终拥有团结奋斗的思想基础、开拓进取的主动精神、健康向上的价值追求，而物质文明和精神文明建设的最终目的就是要促进人的全面发展。作为中国式现代化的文化形态和中华文明的现代形态，当代中国文化自我正是这一有原则高度的实践的意识内核之所在。

V. “How to Confirm”: Pointing Out the Practical Path for Constructing the Self

五、“如何确证”:指明构建自我的实践路径

The construction of the cultural self emphasizes building and practice, that is, the process of self-confirmation. So-called self-confirmation means making oneself, through practice, the self that one understands oneself to be. General Secretary Xi Jinping once proposed the “7+1” core practical requirements. The so-called “7” refers to the “seven efforts,” namely: “efforts to strengthen the Party’s leadership over propaganda, ideology, and cultural work; efforts to build a socialist ideology with strong cohesion and guiding force; efforts to cultivate and practice the core socialist values; efforts to enhance the communication power, guidance power, influence, and credibility of news and public opinion; efforts to continue the Chinese cultural lineage and promote the creative transformation and innovative development of the finest traditional Chinese culture; efforts to promote the prosperity and development of cultural undertakings and cultural industries; and efforts to strengthen international communication capacity and promote exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations”; the so-called “1” refers to “forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation.” [43]43 The “seven efforts” were outlined by Xi Jinping in his instructions on propaganda, ideology, and cultural work in October 2023; “forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation” was added as a central task at the 2021 Central Conference on Ethnic Affairs. This can be said to provide a systematic action guide and path guidance for how contemporary China can confirm its cultural self and how to build a strong cultural country. Deeply understanding General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions, self-confirmation first of all requires unswervingly following the path of socialist cultural development with Chinese characteristics, “closely focusing on building a socialist ideology with strong cohesion and guiding force, adhering to the guidance of the core socialist values, continuously constructing the Chinese spirit, Chinese values, and Chinese strength, and developing and strengthening mainstream values, mainstream public opinion, and mainstream culture.” On this premise, the following four points are particularly important.

文化自我的构建重在建设、实践，也就是自我确证的过程。所谓自我确证，就是通过实践使自己成为自我理解的那个自我。习近平总书记曾提出“7+1”的核心实践要求。所谓“7”就是“七个着力”,即“着力加强党对宣传思想文化工作的领导，着力建设具有强大凝聚力和引领力的社会主义意识形态，着力培育和践行社会主义核心价值观，着力提升新闻舆论传播力引导力影响力公信力，着力赓续中华文脉、推动中华优秀传统文化创造性转化和创新性发展，着力推动文化事业和文化产业繁荣发展，着力加强国际传播能力建设、促进文明交流互鉴”;所谓“1”就是“铸牢中华民族共同体意识”。这可以说为当代中国如何确证文化自我、如何建设文化强国提供了系统化的行动纲领和路径指引。深刻领会习近平总书记的重要论述，自我确证首要的是要坚定不移走中国特色社会主义文化发展道路，“紧紧围绕建设具有强大凝聚力和引领力的社会主义意识形态，坚持以社会主义核心价值观为引领，不断构筑中国精神、中国价值、中国力量，发展壮大主流价值、主流舆论、主流文化”。在此前提下，尤其要做到以下四点。

First, enhance Chinese cultural identity to build a shared spiritual home for the Chinese nation. The prerequisite and foundation for constructing a powerful cultural self is that every “small self” within the nation and country on which this cultural life entity relies can coalesce and identify with the “big self” of the nation and country; this is especially important for China as a multi-ethnic country. “Cultural identity is the deepest form of identity; it is the root of ethnic unity and the soul of ethnic harmony.” [44]44 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Central Conference on Ethnic Affairs” (August 27, 2021). Plurality within unity is China’s historical experience, a current reality, and even more so a unique advantage. Only when ethnic unity is achieved on the basis of cultural identity can national identity have a solid foundation and emotional bond, and only then can this competitive advantage be maintained and enhanced on the international stage.

一是增进中华文化认同以构筑中华民族共有精神家园。构建强大文化自我的前提和基础是这个文化生命体所依托的民族、国家中的每一个“小我”能够凝聚并认同为民族、国家的“大我”,这一点对于多民族国家的中国而言尤为重要。“文化认同是最深层次的认同，是民族团结之根、民族和睦之魂。”多元一体是中国的历史经验，是现实格局，更是独特优势。在文化认同基础上实现民族团结，国家认同才具备坚实基础与情感纽带，也才能在国际舞台上保持并光大这一竞争优势。

Second, adapt to the development of information technology to stimulate the cultural innovation and creativity of the entire nation. The self-confirmation of a national culture is first of all internal confirmation, that is, whether it can provide cultural support and guidance for building a modern socialist country within the nation and country, and provide spiritual strength for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The vitality of culture lies in innovation and creativity. Stimulating innovation and creativity should be made the central link in deepening the reform of the cultural system and mechanisms. In particular, from the strategic height that “if we cannot pass the test of the internet, we cannot pass the test of long-term governance,” [45]45 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the National Conference on Propaganda and Ideology Work” (August 19, 2013). we must attach importance to the mutual promotion of culture and technology, explore effective mechanisms for integrating culture with the internet, generative artificial intelligence, and other technologies, use internet thinking and information technology to improve the production process of cultural creation, achieve digital empowerment and information transformation in cultural construction, and transform cultural resource advantages into cultural development advantages. If we have, due to various historical reasons, repeatedly missed opportunities in the human industrial revolution, then in the current wave of the fourth industrial revolution, China is not only deeply participating but also shifting to leading development. If we can, with a high degree of historical initiative, tap into and stimulate the cultural innovation and creativity it contains, we can inject strong momentum into the development of the Chinese cultural self.

二是顺应信息技术发展激发全民族文化创新创造活力。一个民族文化自我的确证首先是内部确证，就是在民族、国家内部能否为建设现代化强国提供文化支撑和引领，为中华民族伟大复兴提供精神力量。文化的生命力在于创新创造。要把激发创新创造活力作为深化文化体制机制改革的中心环节。尤其要从“过不了互联网这一关，就过不了长期执政这一关”的战略高度，重视文化与科技相生相促，探索文化和互联网、生成式人工智能等科技融合的有效机制，用互联网思维和信息技术改进文化创作生产流程，实现文化建设数字化赋能、信息化转型，把文化资源优势转化为文化发展优势。如果说我们曾因为种种历史原因多次错过了人类工业革命的机遇，那么在当下第四次工业革命浪潮中，中国不仅深度参与，更转向引领发展。如果能以高度的历史主动精神开掘、激发其蕴藏的文化创新创造活力，就能为中华文化自我的发展注入强劲动力。

Third, enhance national cultural soft power and the influence of Chinese culture through openness and inclusiveness. The confirmation of a nation’s cultural self also requires external confirmation. Cultural soft power and influence are important components of comprehensive national power. At present, the changes unseen in a century are accelerating, and competition for cultural influence among nations is becoming increasingly fierce. As General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out, as a responsible major country, we must more actively promote China’s propositions, disseminate Chinese culture, and showcase China’s image, thereby fulfilling the important mission of leading the progress of human civilization. [46] In the current communication pattern where “the West is strong and we are weak,” it is necessary to adhere to the construction principle of “putting ourselves first.” While elucidating doctrines, academic principles, and philosophical principles, and building an independent knowledge system, we must accelerate the construction of Chinese discourse and Chinese narrative systems, strengthen the overall coordination of external publicity work, innovate in conducting online external publicity, and build a multi-channel, three-dimensional external communication pattern. At the same time, openness and inclusiveness are the driving force behind the development of civilization. We must uphold openness and inclusiveness, “actively learn from and draw upon all outstanding achievements of human civilization,” and ultimately resolve the “dispute between the ancient and the modern, and between China and the West,” creating a batch of cultural achievements that fuse the ancient and the modern and connect China and the West.

三是在开放包容中提升国家文化软实力和中华文化影响力。一个民族文化自我的确证还需要外部确证。文化软实力和影响力是综合国力的重要组成部分。当前世界百年未有之大变局加速演进，国家间文化影响力竞争也日趋激烈。正如习近平总书记指出的，作为负责任大国，我们必须更加主动地宣介中国主张、传播中华文化、展示中国形象，进而完成引领人类文明进步的重要使命。在目前“西强我弱”的传播格局中，必须坚持“以我为主”的建构原则，在阐释道理学理哲理、构建自主知识体系的同时，加快构建中国话语和中国叙事体系，加大外宣工作统筹协调力度，创新开展网络外宣，构建多渠道、立体式对外传播格局。同时，开放包容是文明发展的动力源泉。要秉持开放包容，“积极主动地学习借鉴人类一切优秀文明成果”,最终破解“古今中西之争”,创造一批熔铸古今、汇通中外的文化成果。

Fourth, the construction of the cultural self must always focus on people and be grounded in people. “Theory is capable of convincing the masses once it is thorough [ad hominem]. To be thorough is to grasp the root of the matter. But the root of the matter for human beings is human beings themselves.” [47] Culture is the unity of humanization and the cultivation of humans, with people at its core. The construction of the cultural self must take root among the people and serve the people, meeting the growing spiritual and cultural needs of the people, stimulating the cultural creativity of the entire nation, and enabling the people to become the creators, enjoyers, and judges of culture. On the one hand, “the ‘strength’ of a cultural power must ultimately be reflected in the people’s ideological realm, spiritual state, and cultural cultivation.” The confirmation of the contemporary Chinese cultural self must ultimately be realized in its people-centered nature, and it must “meet the diverse, multi-level, and multi-faceted spiritual and cultural needs of the people, enhance the supply capacity of cultural services and cultural products, and increase the people’s sense of cultural gain, happiness, and security. Emphasis should be placed on the role of culture in nourishing the mind and will and cultivating sentiments, fostering a spirited and vigorous spiritual temperament across the entire nation.” On the other hand, the core of cultural creation lies in people. The self-confirmation of the contemporary Chinese cultural self depends on “building a high-level cultural talent team that is large in scale, reasonable in structure, and sharp in innovation.”

四是构建文化自我要始终着眼于人、落脚于人。“理论只要彻底，就能说服人[ad hominem]。所谓彻底，就是抓住事物的根本。而人的根本就是人本身”。文化是人化和化人的统一，核心在人。文化自我构建必须扎根人民、服务人民，满足人民群众日益增长的精神文化需求，激发全民族文化创造活力，让人民成为文化的创造者、享有者和评判者。一方面，“文化强国之‘强’最终要体现在人民的思想境界、精神状态、文化修养上”。当代中国文化自我的确证最终也要落实到人民性，要“满足人民群众多样化、多层次、多方面的精神文化需求，提升文化服务和文化产品供给能力，增强人民群众文化获得感、幸福感、安全感。重视发挥文化养心志、育情操的作用，涵养全民族昂扬奋发的精神气质”。另一方面，文化创造核心在人。当代中国文化自我的自我确证有赖于“建设一支规模宏大、结构合理、锐意创新的高水平文化人才队伍”。

Conclusion

结语

Facing the question of the world and the era—“What is wrong with the world, and what should we do?”

面对“世界怎么了、我们怎么办?”这一世界之问、时代之问，习近平总书记强调，“回答这个问题，首先要弄清楚一个最基本的问题，就是我们从哪里来、现在在哪里、将到哪里去”。构建当代中国强大的文化自我同样如此，只有从文化自我的根本性问题入手，方能提纲挈领、事半功倍。习近平文化思想对构建当代中国强大的文化自我具有系统性、纲领性的指导意义，其关于文化主体性、历史根脉、现代方向、本质规定与实践验证的深刻阐述，共同构成了文化自我构建的系统框架与实践逻辑。同时，我们也必须清醒认识到，构建当代中国强大的文化自我是一项长期的、系统的工程，需要通过建立健全长效机制——包括制度保障、政策支持、人才培育、评价体系等——推动实践路径落地见效，不断提升文化自我的凝聚力与引领力，确保其在动态发展中持续巩固与升华，最终高质量实现新时代文化强国的使命目标，在“两个结合”中不断推进文化自我革新与发展，为人类文明进步贡献中国智慧与思想力量。

Author's bio: Shen Xiangping, Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the School of Philosophy, Renmin University of China, and Wu Yuzhang Chair Professor at Renmin University of China.

作者简介：沈湘平，中国人民大学哲学院教授、博士生导师，中国人民大学吴玉章讲席教授。