Cultivating the Entire Nation’s Soaring and Vigorous Spiritual Temperament

“The rejuvenation of a nation requires a powerful material force, and it also requires a powerful spiritual force.” Spirit is the soul on which a nation depends for survival and development; temperament is the external manifestation of a nation’s character and fortitude. Spiritual temperament reflects the complexion and atmosphere of an era, and it also determines the future and destiny of a nation. The *Proposal of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development* [1]1 The 15th Five-Year Plan covers the period 2026–2030. The *Proposal* was adopted by the Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC in October 2025. clearly states the need to “cultivate the entire nation’s soaring and vigorous spiritual temperament.” This provides important guidance and a framework for flourishing and developing socialist culture and for vigorously advancing Chinese-path modernization that coordinates material and cultural-ethical progress.

“一个民族的复兴需要强大的物质力量，也需要强大的精神力量。”精神是一个民族赖以生存和发展的灵魂，气质是一个民族品格和风骨的外在呈现。精神气质映照着时代的底色与气象，也决定着民族的前途与命运。《中共中央关于制定国民经济和社会发展第十五个五年规划的建议》明确提出，要“涵养全民族昂扬奋发的精神气质”。这为繁荣发展社会主义文化、奋力推进物质文明和精神文明相协调的中国式现代化提供了重要的指引和遵循。

The Theoretical Foundation for Cultivating the Entire Nation’s Soaring and Vigorous Spiritual Temperament

涵养全民族昂扬奋发的精神气质的学理根基

Cultivating the entire nation’s soaring and vigorous spiritual temperament is the practical unfolding of the Marxist conception of history regarding the masses. Marx pointed out: “History is nothing but the activity of man pursuing his aims.” [2]2 This is a paraphrase of Marx’s statement in *The Holy Family* (1845). The original Chinese text cites it as “历史活动是群众的活动，随着历史活动的深入，必将是群众队伍的扩大,” which is a standard Chinese translation of the passage. The Marxist conception of history regarding the masses scientifically reveals that the masses of the people, through unremitting struggle and boundless wisdom in the long river of history, not only create abundant material wealth, laying a solid material foundation for social progress, but also nurture brilliant spiritual culture, becoming an inexhaustible driving force for the comprehensive development of society. Cultivating the entire nation’s soaring and vigorous spiritual temperament is precisely a vivid practice of the Marxist conception of history regarding the masses. It means, in the great practice of the New Era, continuously stimulating the masses’ historical initiative and transforming it into a powerful spiritual force for comprehensively building a modern socialist country.

涵养全民族昂扬奋发的精神气质是马克思主义群众史观的实践展开。马克思指出：“历史活动是群众的活动，随着历史活动的深入，必将是群众队伍的扩大。”马克思主义群众史观科学地揭示了人民群众在历史长河中，以不懈的奋斗和无穷的智慧，不仅创造了丰富的物质财富，为社会的进步奠定了坚实的物质基础，还孕育了璀璨的精神文化，成为推动社会全面发展的不竭动力。涵养全民族昂扬奋发的精神气质，正是对马克思主义群众史观的生动实践，就是要在新时代伟大实践中不断激发人民群众的历史主动精神，使之转化为全面建设社会主义现代化国家的强大精神力量。

Cultivating the entire nation’s soaring and vigorous spiritual temperament is the contemporary expression of the inherent vitality and continuity of Chinese civilization. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “Chinese civilization has continuously developed through inheritance and innovation, and has continuously been elevated by adapting to changes and responding to circumstances. It embodies the deepest spiritual pursuits of the Chinese nation and is the rich nourishment for the Chinese nation’s endless vitality, growth, and strength.” Chinese civilization has stretched for several millennia, consistently upholding the striving spirit of “As Heaven’s movement is ever vigorous, so must a gentleman ceaselessly strive along the same path,” [3]3 A classical phrase from the *Commentary on the Book of Changes* (《周易·象传》), often used to evoke the ideal of ceaseless self-improvement. the innovative consciousness of “If you can improve yourself in one day, do so each day, and continue day after day,” [4]4 A classical phrase from the *Great Learning* (《大学》), attributed to the Shang dynasty founder Tang, emphasizing continuous self-renewal. the family-nation sentiment of “Everyone is responsible for the rise and fall of the world,” [5]5 A classical phrase from the *Record of the Warring States* (《战国策》) and later popularized by the Qing scholar Gu Yanwu, expressing the idea that every individual bears responsibility for the fate of the nation. and the people-centered thought of “The people are the foundation of the state; when the foundation is secure, the state is tranquil.” [6]6 A classical phrase from the *Book of Documents* (《尚书》), articulating the principle that the people are the foundation of the state. These spiritual characteristics are deeply rooted in the cultural genes of the Chinese nation, becoming the powerful spiritual support that has enabled the Chinese nation to stand firm through countless hardships and to remain vibrant through vicissitudes. Cultivating the entire nation’s soaring and vigorous spiritual temperament means deeply excavating and inheriting these spiritual characteristics of Chinese civilization, allowing them to radiate new vitality and vigor in the New Era, and becoming the internal driving force for the continuous progress of the Chinese nation. This cultivation of spiritual temperament is a profound embodiment of the Chinese nation’s spiritual pursuits, inspiring every Chinese son and daughter to march forward courageously and strive unremittingly on the journey of the New Era.

涵养全民族昂扬奋发的精神气质是中华文明内在生命力与赓续力的当代表达。习近平总书记指出：“中华文明在继承创新中不断发展，在应时处变中不断升华，积淀着中华民族最深沉的精神追求，是中华民族生生不息、发展壮大的丰厚滋养。”中华文明绵延数千年，始终秉持“天行健，君子以自强不息”的奋斗精神，“苟日新，日日新，又日新”的创新意识，“天下兴亡，匹夫有责”的家国情怀，以及“民为邦本，本固邦宁”的民本思想等。这些精神特质深深植根于中华民族的文化基因中，成为中华民族历经磨难而始终屹立不倒、饱经沧桑而始终焕发生机的强大精神支撑。涵养全民族昂扬奋发的精神气质，就是要深入挖掘和传承中华文明中的这些精神特质，让它们在新时代焕发出新的生机与活力，成为推动中华民族不断前进的内在动力。这种精神气质的涵养，是对中华民族精神追求的深刻体现，激励着每一个中华儿女在新时代的征程上勇往直前、不懈奋斗。

Cultivating the entire nation’s soaring and vigorous spiritual temperament is an inevitable requirement for realizing common prosperity in the spiritual life of all the people. The Communist Party of China has always taken the people’s aspiration for a better life as its goal of struggle, committed to meeting the people’s growing needs for a better life, especially the diversified, high-quality needs in terms of ideas, concepts, value orientations, moral pursuits, and aesthetic tastes, guiding people to establish a correct view of history, a correct view of the nation, a correct view of the state, and a correct view of culture. Cultivating the entire nation’s soaring and vigorous spiritual temperament means, in the great practice of the New Era, continuously stimulating the people’s spiritual vitality and creative enthusiasm, constantly enriching the people’s spiritual world, elevating the people’s spiritual realm, and strengthening the people’s spiritual strength, so that the masses, in the process of pursuing their personal dreams, jointly shape and display the Chinese nation’s uplifting spiritual outlook, thereby promoting the formation of a positive, upward, and enterprising social atmosphere throughout society, laying a solid foundation for realizing common prosperity in the spiritual life of all the people.

涵养全民族昂扬奋发的精神气质是实现全体人民精神生活共同富裕的必然要求。中国共产党始终把人民对美好生活的向往作为奋斗目标，致力于满足人民日益增长的美好生活需要，特别是在思想观念、价值取向、道德追求和审美情趣等方面的多元化、高品质需求，引导人们树立正确的历史观、民族观、国家观、文化观。涵养全民族昂扬奋发的精神气质，就是要在新时代伟大实践中不断激发人民群众的精神活力与创造热情，不断丰富人民精神世界，提升人民精神境界，增强人民精神力量，使人民群众在追求个人梦想的过程中，共同塑造和展现中华民族昂扬向上的精神风貌，进而推动全社会形成积极向上、奋发有为的良好氛围，为实现全体人民精神生活共同富裕奠定坚实基础。

The Core Requirements for Cultivating the Entire Nation’s Soaring and Vigorous Spiritual Temperament

涵养全民族昂扬奋发的精神气质的核心要求

Arouse the Chinese nation’s aspiration for unity, struggle, and overcoming difficulties. Aspiration is the spiritual pillar that drives the entire nation to surge forward with vigor and courage. The reason the Chinese nation has been able to endure storms and remain tenacious and unyielding in its historical process is precisely due to this aspiration for unity, struggle, and facing difficulties head-on. Arousing aspiration means continuing to inherit and carry forward the fine tradition of the Chinese nation’s unity and struggle in the New Era, cultivating the courage to face difficulties, gathering the wisdom and strength of the entire nation, jointly responding to various risks and challenges, daring to confront and resolve various problems on the path of development, and continuously promoting economic and social progress and development. Unity and struggle require individuals to transcend partial interests, build consensus under the guidance of common ideals, realize resource integration and strength concentration, and effectively respond to structural challenges in economic and social development.

激扬中华民族团结奋斗、攻坚克难的志气。志气，是推动全民族昂扬奋进、勇往直前的精神支柱。中华民族在历史进程中，之所以能够历经风雨而坚韧不拔，正是凭借这股团结奋斗、迎难而上的志气。激扬志气，意味着在新时代继续传承和弘扬中华民族团结奋斗的优良传统，培养迎难而上的勇气，汇聚全民族的智慧和力量，共同应对各种风险和挑战，勇于直面和破解发展道路上的各种难题，持续推动经济社会的进步和发展。团结奋斗，就是要求个体超越局部利益，在共同理想的引导下凝聚共识，实现资源整合和力量汇聚，有效应对经济社会发展中的结构性挑战。

Display the Chinese nation’s backbone of self-reliance, self-strengthening, and fearlessness in the face of hardship. Backbone is the spiritual spine that supports a nation to stand firm and march forward with head held high. Since ancient times, the Chinese nation has been renowned in the world for its self-reliance, self-strengthening, and fearlessness in the face of hardship. This backbone is deeply engraved in the nation’s bloodline. The Chinese nation’s self-reliance and self-strengthening lie in not relying on external forces, rejecting a mentality of dependency, but instead relying on its own struggle to achieve national rejuvenation, maintaining strategic composure in the ever-changing international environment. This backbone is manifested in tenacity and unyieldingness when facing external pressure and risks and challenges, and is embodied in the Chinese nation’s high degree of historical patience and soaring fighting spirit in the face of uncertainty. Displaying this backbone means continuing to carry forward the Chinese nation’s spiritual tradition of self-reliance and self-strengthening in the New Era, not relying on others, not waiting, but relying on one’s own wisdom and strength to create a better future. At the same time, it also means daring to face various difficulties and obstacles, not fearing, not retreating, overcoming all difficulties with firm faith and tenacious perseverance, and manifesting the heroic spirit of the Chinese nation that is indomitable and marches forward courageously.

展现中华民族自立自强、不畏艰险的骨气。骨气，是支撑民族屹立不倒、昂首前行的精神脊梁。中华民族自古以来便以自立自强、不畏艰险著称于世，这种骨气深深镌刻在民族的血脉之中。中华民族的自立自强在于不依赖外部力量，拒绝依附思维，而是依靠自身奋斗实现民族复兴，在风云变幻的国际环境中保持战略定力。这种骨气，体现在面对外部压力和风险挑战时的坚韧不拔与挺立不屈，体现为中华民族在面对不确定性时高度的历史耐心和昂扬的斗争精神。展现这种骨气，就是要在新时代继续弘扬中华民族自立自强的精神传统，不依赖、不等待，依靠自身的智慧和力量去创造美好未来。同时，还要勇于面对各种艰难险阻，不畏惧、不退缩，以坚定的信念和顽强的毅力战胜一切困难，彰显中华民族不屈不挠、勇往直前的英雄气概。

Strengthen the Chinese nation’s confidence of calm composure and riding the tide. Confidence is the solid foundation of national self-confidence and strength, and the powerful support for a nation to advance steadily and lead development in the tide of the times. A nation with deep confidence can maintain calm self-assurance in international competition and ride the tide of change. The Chinese nation’s confidence originates from its long historical and cultural accumulation, strong economic strength, and solid scientific and technological foundation. The long historical and cultural accumulation provides the Chinese nation with rich wisdom and experience, offering a profound cultural heritage for meeting various challenges. Strong economic strength provides a solid material foundation for the country’s development, giving the Chinese nation more say and influence on the international stage. A solid scientific and technological foundation is a key force driving national innovation and development, enabling the Chinese nation to seize the initiative in the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation. Strengthening confidence means continuing to strengthen the construction of socialist culture in the New Era, inheriting and promoting fine traditional Chinese culture, while vigorously developing the economy, enhancing the country’s comprehensive national strength, and also strengthening scientific and technological innovation, mastering more core technologies, so that the Chinese nation can be more calm, self-assured, and ride the tide in the waves of the times.

增强中华民族从容不迫、勇立潮头的底气。底气，是民族自信与实力的坚实根基，是民族在时代浪潮中稳健前行、引领发展的强大支撑。一个拥有深厚底气的民族，能够在国际竞争中保持从容自信，在时代变革中勇立潮头。中华民族的底气，源自悠久的历史文化积淀、强大的经济实力和坚实的科技基础。悠久的历史文化积淀，让中华民族拥有丰富的智慧和经验，为应对各种挑战提供了深厚的文化底蕴。强大的经济实力，为国家的发展提供了坚实的物质基础，使中华民族在国际舞台上拥有更多的话语权和影响力。坚实的科技基础，更是推动国家创新发展的关键力量，让中华民族在新一轮科技革命和产业变革中占据先机。增强底气，就是要在新时代继续加强社会主义文化建设，传承和弘扬中华优秀传统文化，同时大力发展经济，提升国家综合实力，还要加强科技创新，掌握更多核心技术，让中华民族在时代浪潮中更加从容自信、勇立潮头。

The Practical Path for Cultivating the Entire Nation’s Soaring and Vigorous Spiritual Temperament

涵养全民族昂扬奋发的精神气质的实践路径

Forge the soul through theoretical refinement, thoroughly study, understand, and implement the Party’s innovative theory, and master the Marxist stand, viewpoint, and method. Theory is the guide to action; thought is the banner of progress. The Party’s innovative theory is the latest achievement in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, and it is the guide to action for the entire Party and the people of all ethnic groups in the country in striving for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. To thoroughly study, understand, and implement the Party’s innovative theory, the primary task is to master the Marxist stand, viewpoint, and method, which are powerful ideological weapons for the entire Party and the people of all ethnic groups in the country to understand and transform the world. Through in-depth study of the Party’s innovative theory, we can more clearly grasp the pulse of the times, more accurately judge the historical orientation, and more firmly take the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. In the process of theoretical refinement, attention should be paid to transforming learning outcomes into practical actions, achieving the integration of learning, thinking, and application, and the unity of knowledge, faith, and action, so that the Party’s innovative theory plays a greater role in guiding practice and promoting work.

以理论淬炼铸魂，学懂弄通做实党的创新理论，掌握马克思主义立场观点方法。理论是行动的先导，思想是前进的旗帜。党的创新理论是马克思主义中国化时代化的最新成果，是全党全国人民为实现中华民族伟大复兴而奋斗的行动指南。学懂弄通做实党的创新理论，首要的是掌握马克思主义立场观点方法，这是全党全国各族人民认识世界、改造世界的强大思想武器。通过深入学习党的创新理论，我们能够更加清晰地把握时代脉搏，更加准确地判断历史方位，更加坚定地走中国特色社会主义道路。在理论淬炼的过程中，要注重将学习成果转化为实际行动，做到学思用贯通、知信行统一，让党的创新理论在指导实践、推动工作中发挥更大作用。

Establish oneself through the nurturing influence of social atmosphere, coordinate the advancement of urban and rural cultural-ethical progress, and integrate core socialist values into all aspects of social development. Social atmosphere is the external manifestation of a nation’s spiritual temperament; a good social atmosphere can nourish people’s hearts and consolidate strength. Coordinating the advancement of urban and rural cultural-ethical progress, and deepening and solidifying the work of cultivating civilization, practicing civilization, and creating civilization, are important measures for cultivating the entire nation’s soaring and vigorous spiritual temperament. In cities, it is necessary to strengthen the construction of public cultural facilities, enrich the cultural life of the masses, enhance citizens’ cultural literacy and aesthetic standards, and stimulate their yearning for and pursuit of a better life. In rural areas, it is necessary to strengthen rural cultural-ethical progress, promote fine traditional Chinese culture, cultivate civilized rural customs, good family traditions, and simple folkways, and raise the level of civilization in rural society. Integrating core socialist values into all aspects of social development is the key to cultivating the entire nation’s soaring and vigorous spiritual temperament.

以风气熏陶立身，统筹推进城乡精神文明建设，推动社会主义核心价值观融入社会发展各方面。风气，是一个民族精神气质的外在表现，良好的社会风气能够滋养人心、凝聚力量。统筹推进城乡精神文明建设，推动文明培育、文明实践、文明创建走深走实，是涵养全民族昂扬奋发精神气质的重要举措。在城市，要加强公共文化设施建设，丰富群众文化生活，提升市民的文化素养和审美水平，激发对美好生活的向往和追求。在农村，要加强农村精神文明建设，弘扬中华优秀传统文化，培育文明乡风、良好家风、淳朴民风，提升农村社会的文明程度。推动社会主义核心价值观融入社会发展各方面，是涵养全民族昂扬奋发精神气质的关键所在。

Forge ahead through practice and tempering, inspiring the entire nation to overcome difficulties and forge ahead with enterprise in the economic, social, and people’s livelihood fields. Practice is the sole criterion for testing truth, and it is also an important pathway for cultivating the entire nation’s soaring and vigorous spiritual temperament. In the economic field, it is necessary to encourage the entire nation to be bold in innovation and daring in breakthroughs, and, facing the dual pressures of international competition and domestic transformation and upgrading, unswervingly advance high-quality development. By deepening reform and opening up, optimizing the business environment, and stimulating market vitality and social creativity, the people can reap more tangible benefits from economic development, enhancing their confidence and pride in the nation’s development. In the social field, it is necessary to guide the entire nation to actively participate in social governance, jointly build a harmonious and orderly social environment, and promote the formation of a social governance pattern of co-construction, co-governance, and shared benefits. By strengthening community building, volunteer services, public welfare and charity activities, etc., social cohesion and centripetal force are enhanced, allowing the people to feel warmth and strength in social progress.

以实践砥砺奋进，激励全民族在经济、社会、民生各领域攻坚克难、开拓进取。实践是检验真理的唯一标准，也是涵养全民族昂扬奋发精神气质的重要途径。在经济领域，要鼓励全民族勇于创新、敢于突破，面对国际竞争和国内转型升级的双重压力，坚定不移地推进高质量发展。通过深化改革开放，优化营商环境，激发市场活力和社会创造力，让人民群众在经济发展中收获更多实惠，增强对国家发展的信心和自豪感。在社会领域，要引导全民族积极参与社会治理，共同构建和谐有序的社会环境，推动形成共建共治共享的社会治理格局。通过加强社区建设、志愿服务、公益慈善等活动，增强社会凝聚力和向心力，让人民群众在社会进步中感受到温暖和力量。

(The author is Executive Dean and Professor of the School of Marxism at the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences)

（作者系中国社会科学院大学马克思主义学院执行院长、教授）