On June 6, in the conference room on the seventh floor of the Chinese Academy of History, General Secretary Xi Jinping attended a symposium on cultural inheritance and development.

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, every time such a symposium has been held, Xi Jinping has made a comprehensive and systematic in-depth exposition on a series of major theoretical and practical issues in related fields. This symposium on the theme of "cultural inheritance and development" was no exception.

At the meeting, Xi Jinping explained the reason: "During this period, I have been thinking about the major proposition of promoting the construction of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics and building a modern civilization of the Chinese nation, which is also the reason for convening this symposium. ”

On June 6, Xi Jinping attended a symposium on cultural inheritance and development in Beijing and delivered an important speech. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Ju Peng

One

What is "building a modern civilization of the Chinese nation"? The concept was first proposed by Xi Jinping during an inspection tour of the Yinxu site in Henan Province last October.

The Chinese nation has a history of 5000,<> years of civilization and has always paid attention to "learning from the past and knowing the future". Xi Jinping pointed out, "If we do not understand China from the perspective of historical continuity, it is impossible to understand ancient China, nor modern China, let alone future China." It can be said that history is the "golden key" to understanding China, and we must first read the ancient civilization of the Chinese nation and understand "where we came from".

In order to hold this symposium, Xi Jinping spent two and a half days inspecting the China National Version Museum and the Chinese Academy of History.

For example, at the China National Version Pavilion, Xi Jinping saw "Sven Zaizi - Ancient Chinese Civilization Version Exhibition", and then looked at the engraving of the Lantai Dongku Library and the "Four Libraries of the Complete Book"; At the Chinese Academy of History, Xi Jinping inspected the Chinese Archaeological Museum, and he walked along the "Avenue of History", looking as he went, sincerely admiring the ingenuity of the ancient Chinese and the splendid civilization of ancient China. After inspecting the two places, Xi Jinping said, "I feel more deeply that Chinese culture has a long history and Chinese civilization is broad and profound."

Many civilizations in history have left precious tangible heritage, they may be a pottery, a stone axe, or a stone stele, a classic, for these cultural relics preserved through vicissitudes, protection and inheritance is the foundation. In China's National Version Pavilion, Xi Jinping stressed: "The original intention of building the Version Pavilion is to collect, that is, in our historical stage, to collect and protect the classics that can be collected since ancient times, and continue to pass on the only uninterrupted civilization in the world." ”

On June 6, Xi Jinping attended a symposium on cultural inheritance and development in Beijing and delivered an important speech. The picture shows that before the symposium, Xi Jinping inspected the National Version Museum of China on the afternoon of the 2st to learn about the preservation of fine editions in the Lantai Cave Library. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Yan Yan

Two

Unlike many ancient civilizations that only have artifacts left, Chinese civilization is the only civilization in the world that has not been interrupted. Today's Chinese can still read the words of thousands of years ago, and the ideas of thousands of years ago still profoundly influence modern China. In addition to protection, we also have a historical responsibility to inherit and develop Chinese civilization.

This foundation is to have a theoretical understanding of the overall situation of Chinese civilization.

At the symposium, Xi Jinping summarized the five outstanding characteristics of Chinese civilization: continuity, innovation, unity, inclusiveness and peace. It is worth noting that when Xi Jinping talks about outstanding characteristics, he has repeatedly used the phrase "fundamentally decide", which can be described as loud -

The outstanding continuity of Chinese civilization fundamentally determines that the Chinese nation must follow its own path.

The outstanding innovation of Chinese civilization fundamentally determines the enterprising spirit of the Chinese nation of upholding the old and respecting the ancient and not retro, and determines the fearless character of the Chinese nation that is not afraid of new challenges and has the courage to accept new things.

The outstanding unity of Chinese civilization fundamentally determines that the cultures of all ethnic groups of the Chinese nation are integrated and firmly cohesive even in the face of major setbacks, determine the common belief that the land is indivisible, the country cannot be chaotic, the nation cannot be separated and civilization is unbreakable, that national unity will always be the core of China's core interests, and that a strong and unified country is determined by the fate of the people of all ethnic groups.

The outstanding inclusiveness of Chinese civilization fundamentally determines the historical orientation of exchanges and blending of the Chinese nation, determines the harmonious pattern of pluralistic coexistence of various religious beliefs in China, and determines the Chinese culture's open mind to the eclectic world civilization.

The outstanding pacifiity of Chinese civilization fundamentally determines that China has always been a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of international order, determines that China constantly pursues exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations without engaging in cultural hegemony, determines that China will not impose its own values and political system on others, and determines that China will adhere to cooperation, do not engage in confrontation, and never engage in small circles in which "the party shares and fights differences".

Well said! What is "fundamental"? It's unshakable. Xi Jinping is talking about history, but he has profound practical concerns, answering not only "where did we come from", but also "where are we going". At the same time, it also responds to various doubts from the outside world. If some people still say that the lack of certainty in China's rise is "the world's biggest risk point", then it is really time to make up for the lesson of Chinese history!

On June 6, Xi Jinping attended a symposium on cultural inheritance and development in Beijing and delivered an important speech. The picture shows that before the symposium, Xi Jinping inspected the China Academy of History on the afternoon of the 2nd. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Ju Peng

Three

If a civilization and culture are alive, they must solve practical problems.

For more than 100 years, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese nation has ushered in a great leap from standing up, getting rich to becoming strong. When we look back at history, especially when we sum up the successful experience in the new era, we find that the greatest magic weapon for our success is to open up and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics on the profound foundation of Chinese civilization for more than 5000,<> years, and to integrate the basic tenets of Marxism with China's specific conditions and with China's excellent traditional culture.

This is the "combination of the two", and it is also the understanding of the regularity we have drawn in exploring the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

At this symposium, Xi Jinping focused on the "second combination" from five dimensions: the premise of "combination" is that they fit each other; The result of "union" is mutual fulfillment; "Combination" builds the foundation of the road; "Combination" opens up space for innovation; "Combination" consolidates cultural subjectivity. Xi likened the "second union" to another ideological emancipation.

It can be said that in order to open up and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics on the profound foundation of Chinese civilization for more than 5000,<> years, the key to this "Chinese characteristics" lies in the "combination of the two".

How to combine? It is also necessary for us to take Marxism as a guide to carry out creative transformation and innovative development of China's excellent traditional culture, rather than simply retro and copying.

Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is a shining example of "two combinations", which not only has profound characteristics of China's excellent traditional culture, but also has distinct characteristics of the times. For example, the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation demonstrates the Chinese temperament of unremitting self-improvement; Adhering to the people-centered development concept, behind the people-oriented governance tradition; The practice of comprehensively deepening reform shines with the enterprising spirit of "keeping things new, new every day, and new every day"; The concept of a community with a shared future for mankind has a unique Chinese view of "concord and all nations" and "one family under heaven"...

Civilization and culture are not frozen sculptures, but flowing living water, but in which direction does the water flow? We must closely integrate with the practical needs and social system, and our transformation and development of China's excellent traditional culture must be based on the great historical practice and contemporary practice of the Chinese nation, sum up China's experience with Chinese principles, elevate China's experience to Chinese theory, and let the Chinese nation realize the "spiritual independence and autonomy" mentioned by Xi Jinping.

Xi Jinping said: "The best inheritance of history is to create new history; The greatest tribute to human civilization is to create a new form of human civilization. ”

Text/nine paragraphs

Editors/Dongguo, Zhong Qi

Source: People's Daily, Xinhua News Agency, CCTV News, etc

(Study Group WeChat public account)