Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, recently issued important instructions on cultural and ethical development. Xi pointed out that coordinated material and cultural-ethical advancement is a defining feature of Chinese modernization. Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the Party Central Committee has continuously promoted socialist cultural-ethical progress, and consolidated and strengthened mainstream values in society. As a result, Chinese people of all ethnic groups have demonstrated a more vigorous spirit and higher morale, with public civility and social ethical standards being remarkably enhanced.

Xi emphasized that on the new journey in the new era, efforts to promote cultural-ethical development must take on a new look with new accomplishments. It is important to make constant efforts to enhance cohesion and forge inner strength with the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, strengthen the education campaign on reaffirming ideals and convictions, and extensively apply the core socialist values. Xi urged greater attention paid to the role of culture in cultivating the people morally, and continuous efforts to enrich the people's cultural lives and promote well-rounded personal development. It is imperative to take coordinated steps to raise awareness, apply principles, and develop initiatives to advance efforts in both urban and rural areas. It is essential to advance civic morality and make full use of role models so as to further foster healthy social morals. Xi stressed the need to strengthen organization and leadership, deepen reform and innovation, and broaden social participation to coordinate all parties concerned to combine their efforts to establish a long-term mechanism for advancing cultural-ethical development. The country will promote high-quality cultural and ethical development to provide robust spiritual support for building a strong nation and achieving national rejuvenation, Xi said.

A national conference to honor champions of cultural and ethical progress was held in Beijing on May 23. Important instructions from Xi were conveyed at the conference. Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, attended and addressed the conference.

Cai noted in his speech that General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions are visionary, insightful and profound, and carry immense political, ideological, practical and guiding significance. Therefore they must be earnestly studied, understood and implemented.

Cai noted that since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has given priority to cultural and ethical development, initiating and advancing a series of key efforts in this regard. The important expositions and instructions of General Secretary Xi have offered sound answers to a number of major theoretical and practical questions, deepening the Party's understanding of the laws governing socialist cultural and ethical progress. They are an important part of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture and provide key guidance for ensuring solid work in cultural and ethical advancement.

Cai stressed the need to fully implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and the second and third plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, deepen the understanding of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture and act on it, and thoroughly study and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's important expositions on cultural and ethical development. It is also a must to have a deep understanding of the decisive significance of establishing Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the CPC Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and of establishing the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, firmly uphold Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the CPC Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and uphold the CPC Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership, and gather powerful inner strength from high-quality cultural and ethical development to provide impetus for advancing Chinese modernization. It is important to enhance theoretical competence, coordinate efforts in public outreach and education, and advance the implementation to further study, promote, and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It is essential to understand the features of the times and laws governing the development of cultural-ethical progress, with integrated efforts to foster awareness, put principles into practice, and develop initiatives aimed at promoting cultural-ethical progress. Efforts should be made to coordinate cultural and ethical progress in urban and rural areas, improve the quality and efficiency of building exemplary cities, and enhance social etiquette and civility in rural areas. Stressing the inspirational and guiding role of advanced figures, Cai said it is necessary to strengthen the promotion of heroes and role models and encourage the society to learn from them, thereby cultivating a positive and uplifting social atmosphere. Efforts should be made to promote cultural prosperity and development and enrich the public's cultural life, laying a strong foundation for cultural-ethical progress. The leadership of the Party must be strengthened across all aspects and throughout every stage of cultural and ethical development, and the decisions and policies of the CPC Central Committee must be implemented in full and without deviation.

Li Shulei chaired the conference. Shen Yiqin announced the decision on the commendation.

At the conference, awards were presented to representatives of the honorees. Speakers at the event included representatives from the seventh group of national exemplary cities, towns, villages, and entities; the third group of exemplary families and campuses; and the ninth group of national ethical role models.