Xi Jinping, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, recently articulated his vision of forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation. This vision is centered around promoting the high-quality development of the Party’s work on ethnic affairs in the new era. In a group study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Xi emphasized several key points that provide insight into his approach.
One of the key aspects of Xi’s vision is the cultivation of an awareness that all people from different ethnicities are part of the same community. This community is characterized by shared experiences of prosperity and adversity, and a commitment to standing together through thick and thin. This emphasis on unity and solidarity is a fundamental element of Xi’s strategy.
Xi commended the achievements made in the Party’s work on ethnic affairs since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012. He noted that the Party has developed important thinking on strengthening and improving this work, adapting Marxist ethnicity theories to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. The evolving circumstances and tasks in the Party’s work on ethnic affairs since the 20th CPC National Congress in 2022 underscore the continued importance of this area.
In his address, Xi stressed the need for a scientific and sound theoretical system for the Chinese national community. He called for the integration of Marxist ethnicity theories with China’s specific realities and rich traditional culture. Building modern Chinese civilization is a priority, as it lays a solid spiritual and cultural foundation for fostering a strong sense of community among the Chinese people.
Educational efforts play a crucial role in Xi’s vision. He emphasized the importance of strengthening the education of the Party’s theories, lines, principles, and policies among people of all ethnic groups. Additionally, Xi called for the creative evolution and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture.
Xi highlighted the promotion of standard spoken and written Chinese language and the use of unified state-compiled textbooks. These measures aim to create a more cohesive educational environment, facilitating the sense of a shared national identity among diverse ethnic groups.
Another significant aspect of Xi’s vision is the encouragement of more exchanges and interactions among different ethnic groups, with a focus on promoting population mobility and integrated habitation. This approach is seen as a means to continuously foster ethnic unity and progress.
Improving people’s livelihood and ensuring equitable development benefits all ethnic groups are integral components of Xi’s plan. By doing so, Xi aims to create a more inclusive and prosperous society for all members of the Chinese nation.
Xi also underscored the importance of effectively communicating the stories of the Chinese nation and publicizing the sense of community among the Chinese people. This is an essential element of shaping a collective identity and fostering national unity.
Xi Jinping’s vision for a strong Chinese national community centers around unity, shared identity, and inclusive development. Through the integration of Marxist ideology with China’s unique cultural and societal context, Xi seeks to build a resilient sense of community that unites people from various ethnic backgrounds. Education, cultural development, and equitable progress are vital components of this vision, aimed at promoting harmony and unity among the Chinese people. Party committees and government officials at all levels are expected to uphold these principles to contribute to ethnic unity and progress, in line with the distinctively Chinese approach to handling ethnic affairs.