Beijing Forum on Literature and Art

During the October 2014 Forum on the Work of Literature and the Arts in Beijing (wenyi gongzuo zuotanhui 文艺工作座谈会, or commonly, the Beijing Forum on Literature and Art), Xi Jinping delivered a speech on cultural policy and the role of literature and the arts in society. Xi emphasized that literary and artistic workers should create art that helps build moral qualities and socialist core values.

Background

Consistent with Mao Zedong's view articulated during the Yan'an Forum on Literature and Art, Xi believes works of art should be judged by political criteria. On 15 October 2014, General Secretary XI Jinping emulated the Yan'an Forum on Literature and Art with his speech at the Beijing Forum on Literature and Art. Xi gathered representatives of literary and artistic circles, such as the China Writers Association, for the forum.

Xi's speech

Describing the global significance of literature, Xi stated, "History and reality both show that human civilization is created collectively by all countries and all peoples. When I go abroad for visits, what enthuses me most are the products of civilization created by the peoples of various countries and nations. The treasures of world civilization are everywhere." Xi cited examples from ancient Greece, Russia, the United States, and India, before turning to Chinese examples. Xi stated, "China has produced stellar masters of literature and art, leaving behind a vast multitude of exquisite works, not only providing the Chinese nation with ample nourishment, but contributing a glorious chapter to world civilization."

Regarding literature, Xi primarily emphasized moral qualities, stating:

Literature and arts help build the soul, and writers and artists are the engineers of the human soul. Good works of literature and art ought to be like sunlight in a blue sky, like a gentle breeze in spring.