Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for the promotion of cultural prosperity and strengthening of cultural confidence to build a modern Chinese civilization.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a meeting on cultural inheritance and development on Friday.

In the run-up to the meeting, Xi took two separate trips to the China National Archives of Publications and Culture and the Chinese Academy of History on Thursday and Friday, where he visited various exhibitions and learned about the progress made in archive preservation and historical research. 

Upholding cultural confidence

When visiting the national archives, Xi said that with a secure and stable society, China has the willingness and ability to inherit the national culture. 

The many important elements of the excellent traditional Chinese culture jointly shape the characteristics of Chinese civilization, Xi pointed out during the meeting held at the Chinese Academy of History.

Stressing that Chinese civilization is unified, Xi said the cultures of the various ethnic groups of the Chinese nation are integrated. 

The peaceful nature of Chinese civilization determines that China has always been a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development and a defender of international order, Xi said, adding that China always upholds cooperation and does not engage in confrontation. 

At the Chinese Academy of History, he urged solid implementation of a series of major projects, aiming to do a better job in the research and interpretation of the origins of Chinese civilization.

"We will integrate the excellent traditional Chinese culture into the exhibition work, and strive to make positive contributions to building a Chinese nation with strong cultures," Liu Chengyong, curator of the national archives, told China Media Group.

Promoting cultural innovation

A comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the history of Chinese civilization is necessary to effectively promote fine cultural innovation, Xi said at the meeting.

He urged efforts to uphold openness and inclusiveness, inherit and develop China's excellent traditional culture, promote the localization of foreign culture and constantly cultivate and create culture with Chinese characteristics in the new era. 

Highlighting Chinese civilization's innovative nature, he hailed the enterprising spirit of a Chinese nation that is not afraid of new challenges and open to new things. 

The inclusiveness of Chinese civilization determines the Chinese nation is open to exchanges and integration, and determines Chinese culture embraces world civilizations, he said. 

Xi noted that Chinese modernization endows Chinese civilization with modern power, and Chinese civilization endows its modernization with profound heritage. 

Learning about major archaeological discoveries and the progress of related research work at the academy of history, Xi called on historical researchers to improve the level of research and contribute more wisdom and strength to Chinese modernization.