Promote Traditional Culture and Increase Cultural Confidence

Promote Traditional Culture and Increase Cultural Confidence*

September 28, 2020

I have made it clear on many occasions that cultural confidence is a broader, deeper, and more essential confidence, and it represents a more fundamental, more profound, and long-lasting force. China has firm confidence in its path, theory and system. This is essentially a confidence in its culture based on more than 5,000 years of civilization.

Archeological work is a significant cultural undertaking, highly important in both a social and political sense. As our fight against skepticism towards and distortion of Chinese history and culture will continue for a long time to come, we must pay more attention to archeological research and let historical facts speak for themselves. This will provide strong support for our efforts to carry forward the best of traditional Chinese culture and increase our cultural confidence. To this end, we must:

First, explore the unknown and reveal the truth.

Much of our ancient history is yet to be discovered, and will require a lot of hard work in our archeological research. For example, the lack of adequate written records leaves a noticeable gap in the history of the Xia Dynasty (c. 2070-1600 BC). This highlights the importance of archeology in documenting an accurate account of this period. Archeologists must solve the mysteries over the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, and other pre-Xia figures: Are they mythological or historical?

We should ensure the smooth implementation of projects such as “Comprehensive Research into the Origins of the Chinese Civilization and Its Early Development” and “Archeological Finds in China”. We need a better survey of our archeological heritage and better research on applicable policies, and we need to improve overall planning for archeological work. We should make proper arrangements for archeological research into major historical issues and pool our resources in pursuit of new breakthroughs.

Second, strive for new progress in archeological excavation, and in documenting and interpreting the findings.

Archeologists should work closely with researchers from other fields – economics, law, politics, culture, society, eco-environment, science and technology, and medicine – to study artifacts and ruins, and make an interpretive analysis of these material remains. They need to give a clearer and more comprehensive explanation of the origins and evolution of Chinese civilization and its contribution to humanity. Archeologists should draw on the latest research findings on history and update information on China’s ancient past to provide the public with more complete and accurate information.

Third, bring historical and cultural heritage under proper protection.

As the evidence-bearers of our history, archeological sites and relics must be well protected. We will put in place a sound system for managing historical and cultural heritage and resources, and build a national database of cultural relics. We will strengthen the overall guidance of departments and institutions involved in cataloging relics and disseminating that information; we will intensify the technical support they need and guide their public engagement.

While prioritizing the protection of historical and cultural heritage, we need to make best use of it in providing public cultural services and meeting the people’s intellectual and cultural needs.

We need to improve mechanisms for protecting immovable cultural relics and incorporate the tasks of protection and management into the overall planning and use of our territorial space. We need to design systems and support policies under which archeological work is carried out before land transfer. This means that land which might contain historical or cultural relics cannot be used for any other purposes before archeological investigation, fieldwork and excavation have been carried out.

We must draw lessons from the cases of serious damage to cultural relics at home and abroad, supervise relevant departments in fulfilling their responsibilities, take more measures to address hidden risks, and improve our ability to protect historical and cultural heritage. We must strengthen law enforcement and supervision, standardize the procedures for reporting misconduct related to the protection of historical and cultural relics, and fight against related crimes.

Fourth, build up our capacity for archeological research and develop relevant disciplines.

We must apply dialectical and historical materialism, and undertake in-depth theoretical research to specific ends, for example to establish historically accurate criteria for defining a civilization, especially the Chinese civilization. We will develop a Chinese approach to archeology with our own features, style and ethos, and give China more influence and a stronger voice in archeology on the international stage.

We will use new technology-based approaches and tools to find and analyze artifacts and to protect historical and cultural heritage. We will proactively cultivate and expand our archeological talent base, so that more young enthusiasts will be attracted to this work and devote themselves to this field now and in the future.

* Part of the speech at the 23rd group study session of the Political Bureau of the 19th CPC Central Committee.

(Not to be republished for any commercial or other purposes.)