Tracing the Roots of the Chinese Path

We have brought together the deepest and most enduring aspects of our inner strength.

Chinese culture is the “root” and “soul” of the Chinese nation. It is the rich soil from which the Chinese path has emerged and expanded. This splendid culture, which the Chinese nation has created over the course of more than 5,000 years, is home to a wealth of precious ideas and noble values. It embodies important wisdom that helps us to address the difficulties that humanity faces today. Some examples include the fine ideals of “Datong” (universal harmony) and “Xiaokang” (universal prosperity); the philosophy of national governance crystalized in “The people represent the foundation of a nation, and national stability is only possible when this foundation is solid”; the undying spirit of determination found in “As Nature thrives through self-regeneration, so should a man of noble character ceaselessly strive for self-improvement”; the important notions of “harmony in diversity” and “harmonious coexistence”; and the great sense of inclusiveness expressed in “acting in good faith and cultivating harmony” and pursuing “peace among all countries.” Each of these notions has a deep subconscious influence on the way the Chinese people think and act.

Following the advent of modern times, however, some people have attributed China’s backwardness not only to its inferior technology and system, but also to its inferior culture. Thus, they have lost all faith in Chinese culture, and even called for all-out westernization. However, the Communist Party of China has held high the great banner of Chinese culture, calling for the development of advanced culture. Through the application of scientific theories, it has enriched Chinese culture with advanced thinking. During the long course of China’s revolution, construction, and reform, we have maintained our stance on Chinese culture, carried forward its genes, and promoted its creative transformation and progress. In doing so, we have succeeded in developing a contemporary Chinese culture, which has served as a rich source of nutrition for the creation and advancement of the Chinese path.

Values constitute the core element of a development path. For this reason, no interpretation of the Chinese path would be complete without affording consideration to values. The deepest and most enduring strength that a nation and country can have lies in the core values commonly recognized in its society. The core socialist values that our Party has proposed – namely, prosperity, democracy, civility, and harmony; freedom, equality, justice and rule of law; and patriotism, dedication, integrity, and amicability – constitute a profound answer to the major questions of what kind of country we hope to build, what kind of society we hope to establish, and what kind of citizens we hope to foster. They represent a crystalized expression of the Chinese path from the perspective of ethos and values. Carrying forward the essence of China’s fine traditional culture, this set of core values embodies the fundamental character, developmental requirements, and goals of Chinese socialism. They constitute the greatest common divisor in the values of 1.3 billion Chinese people.

In pursuing the Chinese path against a global backdrop of increasingly frequent clashing, communication, and integration of different ideas and cultures, we have engaged in major efforts to develop our framework of core socialist values and worked actively to foster and practice these values, thereby establishing guiding principles amidst plurality whilst seeking consensus amidst diversity. This has enabled us to effectively integrate ideas and value orientations in our society. In order to uphold and widen the Chinese path, it is essential that we have more confidence in our values. Under no circumstances should we blindly parrot Western values or lose our independent ethos.

Once the grains of sand have been washed away, what remains is gold. The formation and development of the Chinese path not only implies greater material abundance and more refined systems, but also stronger aspirations and a revitalized culture. Most importantly, the Chinese path has allowed us to bring forth a great Chinese spirit, which we have done by inheriting and carrying forward a national spirit with patriotism at its core, and by forging a contemporary spirit with reform and innovation at its core.

On this path, we have survived all manner of major trials, and weathered all kinds of risks and challenges. These experiences have served to infuse the Chinese spirit with new vitality and meaning on a constant basis, inspiring the Chinese people to march ever forward in high spirits. On this path, we have also painted a splendid picture of cultural development and prosperity: traditional forms of culture such as opera, folk arts and music, novels, and poetry have demonstrated new vitality; modern forms of culture such as films, television serials, popular music, and online animations have flourished; creative activities in culture have been constantly strengthened; and people’s cultural and non-material lives have become increasingly diverse and abundant. Thus, it is important to note that only when something has taken shape on the inside can it be expressed on the outside. At present, there is a growing interest in Chinese culture overseas. Confucius Institutes have been established in more than 100 countries; Chinese books, films, television programs, and stories have begun to become popular in some countries as interest in learning Chinese has grown; and the international influence and appeal of Chinese culture has increased considerably. With this, China’s ancient and profound culture is well on its way to renewed splendor.