Business Standard
January 1, 2014
Concerned over China’s negative image abroad, President Xi Jinping has vowed to use its cultural soft power to project the Communist giant as a responsible nation.
“The stories of China should be well told, voices of China well-spread, and characteristics of China well explained,” Xi said.
Efforts are needed to build China’s national image, Xi said while speaking to top leaders at a group study session of members of the Politburo of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee here.
China should be portrayed as a civilised country featuring rich history, ethnic unity and cultural diversity, and as an oriental power with good government, developed economy, cultural prosperity, national unity and beautiful mountains and rivers, Xi was quoted as saying by the state-run Xinhua news agency today.
China should also be marked as a responsible country that advocates peaceful and common development, safeguards international justice, and makes contributions to humanity, and as a socialist country which is open, amicable, promising and vibrant, Xi, also the General Secretary of the CPC said.
Amid a series of territorial disputes with its neighbours, China has been assuring the world that the country’s rise as a military and economic power will not pose a threat to peace and stability, and that other nations will benefit from Beijing’s rising power and influence.
At the study session held on Monday, Xi called for efforts to promote advanced socialist culture, deepen reform in the cultural system and enhance people’s cultural creativity.
In order to build a solid foundation for the nation’s cultural soft power, China needs to deepen the reform in its cultural system, promote socialist core values and push forward the cultural industry, the 60-year-old leader said.
He stressed more publicity for modern Chinese values, or socialist values with Chinese characteristics.
The publicity and interpretation of the Chinese Dream should be integrated with such values, Xi noted.
The Chinese Dream means the Chinese people’s recognition and pursuit of values, the building of China into a well-off society in an all-round way and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, he said.
Mass media, groups and individuals should play their roles in displaying the charm to the world, he added.
To strengthen China’s soft power, the country needs to build its capacity in international communication, construct a communication system, better use the new media and increase the creativity, appeal and credibility of China’s publicity, Xi said.
