On the eve of the Spring Festival, Xi Jinping walked into this ancient cultural street in Tianjin

(A closer look at China) On the eve of the Spring Festival, Xi Jinping walked into this ancient cultural street in Tianjin

　　China News Service, Beijing, February 3rd: On the eve of the Spring Festival, Xi Jinping walked into this ancient cultural street in Tianjin

　　China News Service reporter Liang Xiaohui

　　On the eve of the Spring Festival, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the State, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, visited Tianjin for inspection and research. He visited grassroots cadres and the masses and came to Tianjin Ancient Culture Street to inspect the supply of festival markets and the protection and utilization of historical and cultural blocks.

　　Tianjin Ancient Culture Street condenses the folk customs and history of Tianjin. It is the earliest local economic, cultural and commercial gathering place. It is also the birthplace of Tianjin Wei and is known as the "Hometown of Tianjin".

　　Xi Jinping walked along the quaint streets and visited specialty shops such as Guifaxiang 18th Street Mahua, Nut Zhang, Clay Figure Zhang, and Yangliuqing Painting to learn about product types, sales, and the inheritance and development of traditional culture.

　　"Tianjin is a city with great characteristics and charm." Xi Jinping pointed out that it is necessary to protect and make good use of historical and cultural blocks to make them shine in the construction of a modern metropolis.

　　Xi Jinping has always attached great importance to the protection of Tianjin’s unique “charm”. In January 2019, when Xi Jinping inspected Tianjin, he visited Liang Qichao’s former residence and listened to a briefing on the protection of historical and cultural blocks in Tianjin. He pointed out at that time that we should cherish the city's historical and cultural heritage, develop while protecting, and protect while developing.

　　During this trip to Tianjin, Xi Jinping further requested that Tianjin should deeply explore historical and cultural resources, strengthen the protection of historical and cultural heritage and red cultural resources, and create a cultural brand with distinctive characteristics and profound connotations.

　　An ancient street and a historical and cultural heritage are related to the inheritance of civilization and the continuation of culture. Xi Jinping has emphasized many times that we must protect the precious wealth left to us by our predecessors.

　　As early as when he was in charge of Zhengding County, Hebei Province, Xi Jinping promoted the local area to create a historical and cultural business card as an "ancient city" and took action to strengthen the protection of cultural relics. "If we do not protect it well, we are sinners and will be ashamed of future generations." While working in Fujian Province, Xi Jinping once specially allocated funds to solve the urgent need when facing the Bagua Tower on Gulangyu Island that could not be repaired due to lack of funds.

　　After serving as General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Xi Jinping issued more than 170 important instructions and instructions on cultural relics, archaeology, and intangible cultural heritage, advocating the formation of a political achievement concept that "protecting cultural relics is also a political achievement." He once vividly said that we should pay attention to the inheritance of civilization and cultural continuity, "let the city leave memories and let people remember their nostalgia."

　　According to media statistics, since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Xi Jinping has visited more than 100 historical and cultural heritage sites, from Sansu Temple to the Grand Canal, from Yuelu Academy to the Jiayuguan Great Wall, from Anyang Yin Ruins to Jiaohe Ancient City, leaving his footprints. Under his direct promotion, a series of policies and systems were continuously introduced.

　　Today, the concepts of comprehensively protecting historical and cultural heritage and promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of China's excellent traditional culture have become the consensus of the whole society from one street, one district, one city and one province. In China, more and more cultural relics collected in museums, heritage displayed on the earth, and words written in ancient books are coming back to life.

　　Today, when we are promoting the modern civilization of the Chinese nation and Chinese-style modernization, work in this area has been elevated to a new level related to the continuous context and modernization.

　　Last year, when Xi Jinping gave important instructions on publicity, ideological and cultural work, he clearly stated "seven focuses", one of which is "strive to continue the Chinese cultural context and promote the creative transformation and innovative development of China's excellent traditional culture."

　　During this trip to Tianjin, Xi Jinping further emphasized that Chinese-style modernization is inseparable from the inheritance and promotion of excellent traditional culture. Tianjin must create a cultural brand with distinctive characteristics and profound connotations to further highlight Tianjin’s new modern look.

　　On Ancient Culture Street, dragon and lion dance performances were lively. Xi Jinping approached everyone and expressed New Year greetings to the citizens of Tianjin and people of all ethnic groups across the country. He said that he saw citizens and tourists beaming with joy while enjoying traditional folk performances and felt a strong sense of the New Year.

　　The upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year is the Year of the Dragon. The dragon in Chinese culture has multiple meanings such as bravery, endless vitality, good fortune and good luck, and it entrusts a beautiful vision. On the eve of the Spring Festival, a traditional Chinese festival, Xi Jinping visited this ancient cultural street in Tianjin and paid New Year greetings to people of all ethnic groups across the country, which was a unique charm.

　　The ancient streets have a strong flavor in the New Year. This ancient cultural street in Tianjin shows the interplay of history, culture and modernization with its unique ancient, cultural, Tianjin and Chinese flavors, telling the unique charm and style of the ancient city of Tianjin.

　　Culture is the soul of a city. Protecting traditional neighborhoods, protecting ancient buildings, and protecting cultural relics means preserving the history and context of the city. On the eve of the Spring Festival, Xi Jinping visited Tianjin Ancient Culture Street, which was another declaration of efforts to continue the Chinese cultural heritage. (over)