President Xi's NW inspection: Cultural rejuvenation key to rural revitalization

Editor's note: Gao Lei, a special commentator for CGTN, is an associate professor at the Center for Xi Jinping Thoughts on Opening-up, Research Institute of Globalization and China's Modernization, University of International Business & Economics. Xia Lu, a special commentator for CGTN, is a research fellow at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, National Academy for Development & Strategy, the Academy of Xi Jinping Thoughts on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, Renmin University of China. Gao Yuxiang is a post-graduate student at the School of Marxism, University of International Business & Economics. The article reflects the authors' opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

On September 10 and 11, Chinese President Xi Jinping went to Shaanxi and Gansu, two inland provinces with important cultural heritage sites in northwestern China, for an inspection trip. During his inspection, Xi visited places like the Bronze Ware Museum, an ecological park along the Weihe River, the Maijishan Grottoes, a local apple production base, among others to learn about the protection of cultural relics, preservation of the ecology and the development of the modern specialty fruit industry.

Xi's inspection underscored the crucial role that the northwestern region is expected to play in China's modernization, particularly in fostering pride in Chinese civilization.

According to the strategic framework set by the Communist Party of China (CPC), rural areas must follow the path of socialist rural revitalization with Chinese characteristics to achieve modernization. In line with the broader goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respect, clear objectives, specific tasks, and a practical timeline have been laid out for this revitalization strategy. These include five key pillars: the revitalization of agriculture-related industries, local talent, culture, rural ecology, and rural organizations.

To achieve rural revitalization and modernization, governments should not only protect and preserve cultural heritage but also develop agricultural heritage resources, turning them into cultural capital. This approach helps residents of heritage sites achieve both material improvement and cultural confidence. Moreover, it is key to enhancing local residents' long-term commitment to conservation and fostering their internal drive to escape poverty.

In addition, governments at all levels must establish and improve institutional and policy frameworks that support the integrated development of urban and rural areas. This includes deepening reforms of the rural collective property rights system and safeguarding the property rights and interests of farmers.

A key pathway to rural industrial prosperity lies in revitalizing the ecological resources that have long existed in rural areas but have not been properly valued in the industrialization process. By developing innovative methods to capitalize on these ecological resources, governments can facilitate the balanced flow of urban and rural assets, strengthen the collective economy, and boost local residents' incomes, particularly within the context of ecological civilization transformation.

This approach also helps rebuild the economic foundation for sustainable rural development and effective governance, which is crucial for advancing agricultural supply-side reforms and laying the economic groundwork for rural revitalization.

In fact, wide gaps in development and income distribution between urban and rural areas and between regions are not unique to China but are global challenges. Since the Industrial Revolution, many countries have focused on urban expansion to drive economic growth and improve living standards, often at the expense of rural vitality. As a result, rural revitalization has become a shared goal worldwide.

In 2002, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations launched the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems initiative, and China was one of the earliest responders. It has since become a successful practitioner, key promoter, and major contributor to this important endeavor.

"Agricultural heritage" refers to a dynamic, systemic, and multifunctional type of heritage. It embodies agricultural production systems passed down through generations, developed through long-term harmony between people and their environment. These systems are rich in agricultural biodiversity, contain comprehensive traditional knowledge and technologies, and feature unique ecological and cultural landscapes.

With over 5,000 years of history, China has created a vibrant agricultural civilization. The biological, technological, and cultural "genes" embedded in these agricultural heritages hold immense practical value for the nation's rural revitalization efforts.

The protection and development of agricultural heritage play a vital role in supporting rural revitalization by providing valuable resources, driving economic growth, and promoting balanced development. In those heritage sites, the implementation of rural revitalization is particularly meaningful, as it fosters rural economic growth, preserves local cultural traditions, ensures social harmony, and enhances ecological health.

By exploring a model that integrates economic development, ecological conservation, and cultural preservation in the protection of agricultural heritage, China is also poised to contribute significantly to the global effort toward sustainable agricultural and rural development.

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