Over 100 scholars gathered in Beijing on February 3 for the prestigious 2026 annual conference organized by the Research Center on Xi Jinping Thought on Culture. Representatives from China’s premier social science academies and universities engaged in high-level discussions on advancing national cultural strategies.
The consensus among experts was clear: Xi Jinping’s cultural thought marks a significant advancement in Marxist cultural doctrine and encapsulates the essence of China’s current cultural dynamics. It provides a robust ideological arsenal and precise roadmap for elevating ideological work, cultural flourishing, and the creation of a culturally empowered state in the new era.
Tying into the CPC 20th Central Committee’s Fourth Plenary Session, which prioritized cultural innovation and socialist cultural prosperity, speakers advocated for mining fresh elements from Chinese heritage, leveraging contemporary cultural experiments, embracing digital tech trends, drawing lessons from worldwide civilizations, and generating powerful drives for cultural progress.
The forum also addressed bolstering research on this thought through rigorous academic methodologies, multidisciplinary approaches, nurturing constructive scholarly ecosystems, and expanding international partnerships. As the event wrapped up, participants expressed optimism about its role in shaping China’s cultural future.