Beijing, June 1, 2023 – Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on the National Art Museum of China (NAMOC) to uphold political correctness and the core values of socialism, emphasizing its role in contributing to the nation’s art development in the new era. President Xi’s directives were conveyed in a letter addressed to the elders of the museum on the occasion of its 60th anniversary.
In the letter, dated May 21 and published by state news agency Xinhua, President Xi acknowledged NAMOC’s accomplishments over the past decades, recognizing its achievements in collection building, exhibitions, public education, and international exchanges. He commended the museum’s successes, which have occurred against the backdrop of China’s thriving art scene.
President Xi outlined his vision for the museum’s future, expressing his hope that NAMOC would persist in upholding a politically correct direction, placing people first, and practicing the core values of socialism. He urged the museum to strive to become a world-class art institution, elevating the cultural standards of the nation and the people. President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of NAMOC’s role in promoting China’s cultural confidence and the glory of socialist culture.
The publication of President Xi’s letter coincided with recent actions taken against China’s cultural sector. These include the banning of comedians, cancellations of concerts by foreign music acts, and an attack on the artwork of renowned Chinese contemporary artist Yue Minjun for allegedly insulting the military.
Established in 1963 under the leadership of Mao Zedong, the National Art Museum of China is one of the country’s largest art museums. Its extensive collection of over 130,000 items encompasses historic Chinese works, including those by renowned poet and calligrapher Su Shi, as well as pieces by modern masters such as Qi Baishi, Wu Guanzhong, and Chu Teh-chun. Western art, including works by Picasso and Dalí, is also part of NAMOC’s diverse collection.
The museum, in addition to fulfilling its mission as a public-facing institution promoting artistic excellence, emphasizes its role under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought. This ideology champions socialism with Chinese characteristics for the new era and emphasizes the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
President Xi’s letter serves as a reaffirmation of the Chinese government’s focus on maintaining political correctness and aligning cultural institutions with the core values of socialism. It underscores the significance of NAMOC in shaping the nation’s artistic landscape and its contributions to the prosperity and cultural confidence of China.