Chinese-style modernization—Let the edifice of the Chinese national spirit stand tall and majestic.
At this moment, the space station complex—comprising the Tianhe core module, the Wentian experimental module, Shenzhou-14, and Tianzhou-4—is soaring through space at an altitude of 400 kilometers above Earth. Soon, the Mengtian experimental module will be launched, bringing China’s space station one step closer to full completion.
From Tiangong, Beidou, and Chang'e to Tianhe, Tianwen, and Xihe, China’s space program continues to make new historical achievements, showcasing the vigorous and enterprising spirit of China in the new era.
The rejuvenation of a nation requires both strong material power and strong spiritual power.
China’s modernization is a modernization that coordinates both material and spiritual civilization. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “Without the active guidance of an advanced culture, without the profound enrichment of the people’s spiritual world, and without the continuous strengthening of the nation’s spiritual strength, no country and no nation can stand tall among the nations of the world.”
Today, we are at a critical juncture in realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The strength of our country and the rejuvenation of our nation not only require the accumulation of material civilization but also, and even more importantly, the elevation of spiritual civilization.
During this year’s Beijing Winter Olympics, Beijing’s “Mianren Lang” gained attention both at home and abroad. At the “Spring Festival Fair” held for foreign guests attending the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics, the clay figurine mascot “Bing Dwen Dwen,” created by Lang Jiaziyu—the third-generation inheritor—caught the eye of Prince Albert II of Monaco. The prince was utterly captivated by the clay figure “Bing Dwen Dwen” and immediately placed an order with Lang Jiaziyu on the spot, expressing his wish to take a pair back home as gifts for his two children.
At this global sporting event, ice dancers Wang Shiyue and Liu Xinyu donned costumes inspired by lush green landscapes and gracefully danced on the ice, as if unfolding a masterful ink-and-wash painting. At the closing ceremony, hundreds of Chinese college students entered the arena slowly, holding swaying willow branches—a gesture imbued with the poetic sentiment of "bending willows to convey heartfelt emotions"—offering their international friends a romantic, Chinese-style farewell...
The outstanding traditional Chinese culture is the crystallization of wisdom and the essence of Chinese civilization. It is the root and soul of the Chinese nation, and serves as the solid foundation that enables us to stand firm amid the vigorous currents of global culture.
Recently, General Secretary Xi Jinping wrote the preface to “The Library of Rejuvenation,” in which he pointed out: “We must promote the creative transformation and innovative development of China’s outstanding traditional culture, and build a shared spiritual home for the Chinese nation.”
A series of documents have been issued, including the “Several Opinions on Strengthening the Reform of Cultural Heritage Protection and Utilization,” the “Construction Plan for National Cultural Parks along the Great Wall, the Grand Canal, and the Long March Route,” and the “Opinions on Strengthening the Protection and Inheritance of Historical and Cultural Heritage in Urban and Rural Development.” As a result, the project for inheriting and developing China’s outstanding traditional culture has been implemented in depth, further solidifying the foundation of our nation’s cultural soft power. A comprehensive survey and systematic sorting of cultural resources have been carried out, providing a clear picture of our cultural assets. The protection of cultural heritage has reached a new level: 42 Chinese intangible cultural heritage items have been inscribed on the UNESCO List, placing China first in the world in terms of the number of such listings...
On October 6, tourists visited the Nanjing City Wall Museum.
Over the past decade of the new era, we have systematically organized and curated China’s outstanding traditional cultural resources, bringing to life the cultural relics housed in imperial palaces, the heritage displayed across our vast land, and the writings preserved in ancient texts. We have delved deeply into and elucidated the profound philosophical insights and contemporary values embedded in China’s excellent traditional culture, and we are working to promote those cultural spirits—“which transcend time and space, surpass national boundaries, possess enduring appeal, and hold contemporary relevance.”
The outstanding traditional Chinese culture has undergone creative transformation and innovative development, radiating a new spirit of the times.
In the early morning, as the first rays of dawn painted the 36 peaks of Mount Huangshan red, “Good People of China” Li Peisheng and Hu Xiaochun began their day’s work.
On August 13 of this year, Li Peisheng and Hu Xiaochun received a reply from General Secretary Xi Jinping. Though brief, the letter was filled with heartfelt warmth: “I hope you will continue to serve as role models, actively promote truth, goodness, and beauty, and spread positive energy, inspiring more people around you to strive for excellence and kindness. Uphold the core socialist values, and endeavor to be good citizens of society, excellent employees at your workplaces, and loving members of your families—devoting your own light and heat to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.”
Climbing over, scaling up, then climbing over again, then scaling up once more... Over the past 23 years, Li Peisheng has accumulated nearly 1,800 kilometers of rope descent—equivalent to climbing the height of roughly 200 Mount Everests.
Having worked as a rope-access worker for so many years, how have you managed to stick with it all this time? Are you ever afraid when picking up trash on cliffs? Since you can only come down from the mountain and go home once a month, have you ever considered switching to a different job? Li Peisheng has been asked questions like these countless times—but whether it was 23 years ago or today, his answer has always been the same: “Every profession needs people to do it. If I don’t take on this job, someone else will.”
“Every time I reel the rope back in, tourists gather around, clapping and cheering—it’s such a wonderful feeling,” said Li Peisheng. He feels especially gratified when he hears some parents using this moment as an opportunity to teach their children not to litter carelessly.
Li Peisheng picks up trash among the steep cliffs of the Huangshan Scenic Area (photographed on August 15, 2022).
On June 29, 2021, the awarding ceremony for the “July 1st Medal” was solemnly held at the Great Hall of the People. As one of the 29 exemplary and meritorious Party members honored with the medal, Zhang Guimei, the principal of Huaping Girls’ High School in Lijiang, Yunnan, moved many with her hands covered in medicinal plasters. “The journey ahead is long and arduous—only through struggle can we succeed,” these eight words, repeatedly emphasized by the General Secretary, are deeply etched in Zhang Guimei’s heart and serve as her guiding motto. She said, “As long as I have a single breath left, I will stand on the podium, devote myself wholeheartedly, and give everything I have—no matter how many times I might face death, I’ll never regret it.”
Millions of Chinese people are not only touched by her story but also enthusiastically applaud her spirit and character.
The people’s aspiration for a better life encompasses not only material well-being—such as having sufficient food and clothing—but also a social ethos characterized by “understanding propriety and distinguishing between honor and disgrace.”
Holding the National Commendation Conference for Spiritual Civilization Construction and announcing the “Role Models of the Times,” “Good People of China,” and “Most Beautiful People”... Over the past decade of the new era, one exemplary figure after another and repeated spiritual awakenings have made the atmosphere of learning from and catching up with the advanced, and striving to emulate the virtuous, ever stronger. Acts of kindness and good deeds have emerged continuously, and acts of benevolence and righteousness have become a widespread norm.
“Throughout the province, 360,000 designated assistance personnel have been paired with impoverished households, tailoring “one household, one strategy” precise poverty-alleviation plans for each and every impoverished family—adopting measures that are specifically designed for each household and each individual…” On September 27, in the “Bitter Poverty Fades Away, Sweetness Arrives” section of the Gansu unit at the “Striving in a New Era” thematic achievement exhibition, the “One Household, One Strategy” poverty-alleviation plan drew the attention of numerous visitors.
The plan meticulously documents the basic information of each impoverished household, the root causes of their poverty, pathways to poverty alleviation, support measures implemented, and the timelines for achieving poverty alleviation—serving as a microcosm of China’s efforts to eradicate poverty.
The “One Household, One Plan” Poverty Alleviation Program (displayed in the Gansu section of the “Striving for a New Era” Thematic Achievement Exhibition)
In the fight against poverty, millions of poverty-alleviation officials have devoted themselves wholeheartedly and worked diligently and pragmatically, standing together with, living alongside, and working side by side with impoverished communities. More than 1,800 comrades have given their lives in this arduous journey to eradicate poverty. This great practice in the history of humanity’s fight against poverty has forged the spirit of poverty alleviation—“unity between the top and bottom levels, deploying all available resources, precision and pragmatism, pioneering and innovation, overcoming difficulties with determination, and living up to the expectations of the people.”
“In the fight against poverty, we have achieved abundant material gains as well as remarkable spiritual achievements,” emphasized General Secretary Xi Jinping. The spirit of poverty alleviation is a vivid embodiment of the Communist Party of China’s nature and purpose, the Chinese people’s will and character, and the spirit of the Chinese nation; it carries forward and inherits both the great national spirit and the spirit of the times.
For over a century, in pursuit of national independence and people’s liberation, as well as the prosperity of the nation and the happiness of the people, the Communist Party of China has carried forward the great spirit of its founding. Through long-term struggle, it has forged a spiritual lineage unique to Chinese communists and honed distinct political qualities. The Jinggangshan Spirit, the Long March Spirit, the Spirit of Resisting U.S. Aggression and Aiding Korea, the Spirit of Reform and Opening-up, the Spirit of Poverty Alleviation, the Spirit of Scientists, the Beidou Spirit of the New Era... As history flows endlessly onward, these great spirits are passed down from generation to generation. These inspiring spirits embolden the Chinese people to stride confidently and with high spirits into this great era.
On September 14, young volunteers took photos of the elderly residents at the “Yi Yang Home” in Jianpi Village, Yangqiao Town, Fenyi County, Xinyu City, Jiangxi Province.
Great undertakings forge a great spirit, and a great spirit guides great undertakings. In pursuing China’s modernization, we uphold the core socialist values, strengthen education in ideals and convictions, promote China’s outstanding traditional culture, enhance the spiritual strength of the people, and foster both the comprehensive enrichment of material conditions and the all-round development of individuals.
As towering skyscrapers spring up across our land, the edifice of the Chinese national spirit is also rising majestically.
Today, the Chinese nation stands tall among the world’s nations with unprecedented confidence; today, the Chinese people, filled with unprecedented pride, are boldly and ambitiously striding into the future.
