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Will culture be China’s most important addition to Xi Jinping Thought?
- Sixth ‘pillar’ focuses on shaping propaganda, news and public opinion at home and internationally
- Analysts said that compared to Xi’s other doctrines, the ideology ‘is fundamental’ to the party’s leadership
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Chinese President Xi Jinping’s ideology on culture was officially unveiled at the weekend, signalling a further expansion of his political doctrine, as well as a more systemic approach to implementing his vision for the country’s cultural and communications landscape.
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Named Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, the latest addition to Xi’s ever-growing set of political doctrines was put forward formally at a two-day national meeting of the senior leadership in Beijing, state news agency Xinhua reported on Monday.
Analysts said the latest pillar of the paramount leader’s political doctrine – known as Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and enshrined in the constitution since 2018 – could be the most important to date.
Xi’s thoughts on culture – which encompass propaganda, news and public opinion – form the doctrine’s sixth pillar, alongside the economy, diplomacy, military, environment and legal affairs.
The weekend’s propaganda, ideology and culture works meeting was chaired by Xi’s chief of staff Cai Qi, a member of the seven-man Politburo Standing Committee, and attended by hundreds of the country’s most important propaganda officials.
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According to Xinhua, the meeting urged the strengthening of “positive publicity”, a stronger capacity to “guide public opinion”, and more effective promotion of the influence of Chinese culture internationally.
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