Political direction, quality of works stressed at high-level publicity meeting

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has set new tasks, including telling China's stories well to the world, for the country's publicity agencies, including media, at a key meeting concluded on Wednesday.

The publicity authorities must stick to the right political direction, be dedicated to improving the quality and capability of their work, promote the unity of the people across the nation, and serve the Party and the country's overall work, Xi said at a meeting attended by senior publicity officials in Beijing.

Socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era, Xi said, adding that the publicity departments should focus on their missions of upholding the flag, uniting the people, cultivating new talent and making culture flourish in order to fulfill their duties under the new circumstances.

To uphold the flag means that the publicity departments must hold high socialism with Chinese characteristics, promote the thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era, and help the people better understand Marxism in China and Marxism in the 21st century, Xi said.

To build socialist ideology, the key is to build up confidence in the path, theory, system and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics, he said.

Publicity agencies should uphold the correct direction in guiding public opinion, inject positive energy, encourage the whole Party and all the people to unite and fulfill the goals set by the CPC Central Committee, Xi said.

The agencies should advocate socialist core values and cultivate new talent that can shoulder the duties of national rejuvenation. The publicity authorities should guide young people to shape their social values early on, he said.

Making culture flourish means that publicity authorities should stick to the cultural development path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, promote innovation stemming from excellent Chinese culture, inherit revolutionary culture, develop advanced socialist culture and invigorate the whole nation's creativity, Xi said.

He called on the country's artists to reach the grassroots, get close to the people, improve the quality of their works and boycott vulgar culture.

Xi also stressed showing a good national image through such measures as improving international communication capabilities, telling China's stories well, showing an authentic and comprehensive China to the world, and raising the country's soft power and the influence of Chinese culture.

Xi said the agencies should further improve the influence of Chinese culture, introduce the thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era, and tell the stories of the CPC's governance of China, the stories of Chinese people's fulfilling their dreams and the stories of China's dedication to win-win cooperation.

Xi stressed enhancing the Party's overall leadership in publicity work and safeguarding the authority of the CPC Central Committee and its unified and centralized leadership.

He said publicity authorities must improve their capability in using and governing the internet, and innovate in their communication measures to help the public better understand the Party's innovative theories.