Chinese leader calls for art to serve socialism

The purpose of art is to serve socialism and the people, President Xi Jinping said this week, a stark reminder of China's undimmed Communist credentials, and must not bear "the stench of money" nor be "slaves to the market."

“Socialist culture and art is, in essence, the culture and art of the people,” he told a news conference, adding that serving the people and the socialist cause were what the party demanded.

Art and culture were indispensable to the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation, the president, whose wife Peng Liyuan is an opera singer, told an audience of authors, actors, scriptwriters and dancers in Beijing.

Mr Xi's remarks chime with a Marxist ideological position; they echo those of China's founding father Mao Zedong, who said in 1942: "There is, in fact, no such thing as art for art's sake, art that stands above classes, art that is detached from, or independent of, politics."

China's dramatic economic rise over recent years has been built on "socialism with Chinese characteristics," but the country is officially a Marxist-Leninist state run by the Communist Party.

Follow-up commentary on the state news agency said, despite a huge output, the country’s strength in culture has yet to be fully released.

“This weakness goes against China’s ambition in realising the national revival and sharpening its global image,” it said.

Cold War-era tone

While the remarks have a strong Cold War-era tone, they are a reminder of the kind of situation that filmmakers face in

China

when it comes to passing the censors.

Mr Xi said it was vital that artists learn from the masses, that artists should create works that are both artistically outstanding and morally inspiring, to serve the people and socialism and best illustrate socialist core values.

“Popularity should not necessitate vulgarity and hope should not entail covetousness,” he said. “Pure sensual entertainment does not equate to spiritual elation.”

Artworks should also present patriotism as the main theme and foster correct viewpoints of history, nationality and culture, as well as strengthen pride in being Chinese, Mr Xi added.