Xi Jinping.jpg (Photo : Reuters)
Aside from being artistic, Chinese artists also guide people spiritually to strengthen their moral judgment and sense of honor, President Xi Jinping told writers and artists on Wednesday at a forum in Beijing.
Xi chaired the cultural symposium attended by top artists in China, including filmmakers, actors, authors, opera singers, dancers and leaders of military and government-owned cultural groups.
According to Xi, traditional Chinese culture is China's lifeblood, an essential source of core socialist values and foundation to compete in the world. As the country's president, it is his goal to realize the Chinese dream and achieve great rebuilding through moral education.
Discouraging the artists from focusing on commercial success, Xi pointed out that "popularity should not necessitate vulgarity and hope should not entail covetousness" and "pure sensual entertainment does not equate to spiritual elation."
The Chinese leader also likened artworks to blue sky sunshine and spring breeze that warm hearts, stimulate minds, nurture taste and spruce up adverse work styles.
During the forum, the president asked the artists to always incorporate both traditional and modern aesthetics to manifest key socialist values and strengthen pride in being Chinese in their artworks.
This means they should strive to create innovative works that reflect patriotism, culture, history and nationality.
"The true value of a masterpiece lies in its intellectual depth, artistic exquisiteness and skillful production," Xi said.
He also asked Chinese artists to create works that "disseminate contemporary Chinese values, embody Chinese traditional culture and reflect Chinese people's aesthetic pursuit."
Despite this suggestion of domestic integrity, Xi also wanted the Chinese artists to bring Chinese and Western arts together through in-depth understanding, with Chinese art developing further as foreign things made in China serve the country.
