China's Xi points way for arts

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L3) told artists on Oct 15 that they should not pursue commercial success at the expense of producing work with artistic and moral value. [Photo/Xinhua]

When artist and patron are one

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Watched by senior Communist Party of China (CPC) leader Liu Yunshan, President Xi said cultural and artistic sectors in China must serve the people and socialism.

"Socialist culture and art is, in essence, the culture and art of the people," he said, adding that serving the people and the socialist cause is a requirement of the CPC, and it is essential to the future development of the country's cultural and artistic sectors.

He described common citizens as "the connoisseurs and critics" of art, and said they should also be regarded as the main subjects of artistic works.

As quality of life has improved for the population of China, Chinese are in need of better cultural products, according to Xi, who urged the country's artists to learn from the people and base their creations on real lives.

"The creation of art can fly with the wings of imagination, but make sure art workers tread on solid earth," he said.

This is not the first time that the CPC had asked art workers to focus on the people.

During a famous speech on literature and art in 1942, late Chinese leader Mao Zedong said the working class should be considered as the major audience and their lives should be reflected.

According to Wang Yukai, professor with the Chinese Academy of Governance, the Chinese people enjoy more rights as the country has bestowed more power on them than ever. But "the great era will only be showcased by creating more excellent art works that reflect people's lives."

In line with the people-oriented concept to govern the country, Xi's speech also put people's interests in first place, and the idea is expanding to every aspect of life, Wang said.