China adopts cultural development guideline to boost soft power

Leaders of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Tuesday adopted a guideline that is aimed at boosting China's soft power and maintain "cultural security" following the ongoing economic boom. The 17th Central Committee of the CPC closed its sixth plenary session and approved a decision on deepening the reform of China's cultural system and promoting the development of the cultural industry. The country will work to improve Chinese citizens' sense of identity and confidence in Chinese culture, according to a statement issued after the session. Culture is emerging as an important part of the country's comprehensive competitiveness in today's world, the statement said. China is facing a difficult task in protecting "cultural security" and feeling the urgency of enhancing its soft power and the international influence of its own culture, the statement said. President Hu Jintao delivered a speech at the session, which opened on Saturday. The statement noted that, as a major form of support for national unity and a source of creativity, China's cultural industry will play a more critical part in the country's economic and social development. The country should not only provide its people with an ample material life, but also a healthy and rich cultural life, the statement said. The statement said the government will devote more resources to boosting public cultural services and speed up the reform of the cultural industry.