Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for the country’s intellectuals to take the initiative to play a bigger role in contributing to a better nation. His remarks came after authorities announced on the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference their move to tighten ideological grip on academics.
The remarks of President Xi were made at a joint panel meeting of the Jiu San Society, Chinese Peasants' and Worker's Democratic Party, and the China Association for Promoting Democracy. The panel meeting was attended by mostly intellectuals who are involved in culture, education, medicine, science and technology.
China is currently in a crucial year to meet the objectives of the 13th Five-Year Plan to keep the economy running smoothly. Xi said: "Intellectuals must waste no time and make it their top responsibility to build an affluent society and make China a great scientific power."
Government officials were encouraged to become "good friends" with the intellectuals and share candid insights to each other. They were told to have full confidence in them and consult them in major projects.
“We should warmly welcome opinions and criticism from intellectuals as long as they mean well. We will embrace the right ones and be more tolerant of some which are biased or even wrong,” Xi said.
The remarks were the complete opposite to the earlier demands from authorities on imposing stricter ideological controls to the curricula in the academies.
Xi stated in a seminar last year addressed to 150 teachers that the ruling Communist Party must be in charge to lead and manage the development of both philosophy and social science, “unequivocally upholding” Marxist principles. He said: "Intellectuals in the field should be loyal and resolute supporters of Party governance.”
Last year, authorities urged universities to increase ideological guidance for students by firmly upholding the correct political direction.