The values underlying cultural confidence

With close to 5 billion yuan in box office revenue and over 100 million viewers, the film Wandering Earth became the highlight of Chinese sci-fi productions in the spring of 2019. The secret behind its success? It depicts how the world's people come together as one to save the planet. The film expresses clearly the central values of the Chinese culture: a harmonious world of trust and cooperation, where there is benevolence and integrity, and where people come first. These are the values that give us confidence and a sense of purpose. 

Core values lie at the deepest level of culture. It is their relevance, the power to bring people together and offer guidance that ultimately determines whether or not a culture inspires confidence. Values such as benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, integrity, kindness, respect, frugality and altruism have been central to our society for centuries. They have molded our beliefs and aspirations into a distinctive Chinese temperament. 

The film Wandering Earth 

So which are the core values that we must uphold as a country and a people at the current time? The 18th CPC National Congress in 2012 laid out three categories of socialist values for nation, society and citizen. For the nation, prosperous, democratic, harmonious and civil; for society, free, equal and fair with the rule of law; and for citizens, patriotic, dedicated, trustworthy and friendly. At its 19th National Congress, the CPC highlighted the need to focus on preparing a new generation for the cause of national rejuvenation by fostering and practicing these core socialist values. They not only provide direction for a thriving socialist culture but also for our cultural self-confidence. 

Since the 18th CPC National Congress these core socialist values are gradually being widely accepted. Thanks to awareness campaigns, and recognition of "role models of our times", and being embodied in new rules and regulations, they are gradually becoming subconscious ways of conduct for many. Through their daily actions, people demonstrate that when the people are firm in their convictions, the country will prosper and the nation will grow strong. 

Role Models of Beijing 

Since 2014, the city of Beijing has been celebrating inspiring role models from all walks of life: scientists, entrepreneurs, university professors, as well as sanitation workers, farmers and migrant construction workers. Up until May this year, over 600 people have been honored, on a weekly, monthly and yearly basis. These ordinary citizens set an example for society by quietly doing their jobs, and demonstrating those qualities and values that make Beijing a better and more civil place. Pictured here are 50 Beijing residents being recognized as "role models of our times" at an annual award ceremony on February 20, 2019. 

A Chinese proverb says that it takes ten years to grow a tree, but decades to educate a person. Many years are needed to further foster and promote these core socialist values. We need to start small, focus on details and on actual practice as we encourage people to not only understand but also to apply them. Core socialist values will thus become part of civic education and awareness campaigns. Through laws and policies people will identify with and voluntarily live by them. In this regard, CPC members should lead by example and educate the young to start their life on the right path so that they truly believe in and actively implement the core socialist values. 

The views don't necessarily reflect those of Qiushi Journal.