Governance thrives when it follows the people's will

"Governance flourishes when it follows the will of the people; it collapses when it runs against the will of the people." This assertion from Guanzi, written more than 2,000 years ago, captures the simplest yet most enduring truth of statecraft: The rise and fall of any policy ultimately hinge on the will of the people. When policies align with public sentiment, harmony and prosperity follow; when they defy it, decrees become empty and the foundation of governance begins to crack.

For Chinese officials today, this ancient teaching serves as a benchmark for calibrating their approach to governance. The quality of a policy cannot be measured by the thickness of reports or the polish of data charts, but by whether the people genuinely applaud it. Genuine initiatives that align with the people's will – no matter how modest in scale or quiet in execution – can take root and flourish.

In the realm of cultural welfare, "following the people's will" has tangible implications. Cultural services must not become a solo performance; instead, the power of choice should be handed to the people, transforming them from passive recipients into active selectors. The allocation of cultural resources must follow real public needs – whether it's building cultural squares in villages or directing intangible heritage funds with precision, public input must be sought. Only by treating the people's voices as the primary signal can cultural benefits truly bridge the "last mile," and culture itself remain vibrant and enduring.