More than 100 of China’s biggest movie celebrities gathered in Hangzhou in east China’s Zhejiang Province to study and implement the spirit of the 19th Communist Party of China (CPC)’s National Congress into their work. 

CPC Central Committee General Secretary Xi Jinping said in his report to the 19th CPC National Congress that Chinese culture should serve socialism and the CPC.   

Zhang Hongsen, deputy head of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT) urged the filmmakers, writers, and actors attending the forum to unite their thoughts and actions to stay in line with the spirit of the CPC National Congress and to produce great stories for the silver screen under the guideline of socialism with Chinese characteristics. 

Zhang also urged the celebrity audience to be confident in the Chinese culture and encouraged them to overcome difficulties and strive to improve quality of their works.

Among the celebrities attending the forum were Wu Jing, the lead actor and director of the year’s biggest blockbuster, “Wolf Warrior II”, and Chinese social media superstars Lu Han and Wu Yifan. 

The celebrities were in agreement with Zhang’s speech.  “To march into the “new era’ proudly, first we should cherish it.  Foreigners tend to attach great attention to the Chinese movie market rather than Chinese movies,” Wu said.  “Hollywood only asks for good ideas but never gives their core technologies to make these ideas become real works, and by doing so lures our young talents.  So it is important for us in the business to use our Chinese wisdom to tell great stories.” 

Beijing Film Academy professor Chen Shan told the Global Times that the Chinese movie industry is at a crossroads.  while the film sector has now built a solid infrastructure, moviemakers must improve their ‘cultural cultivation’ and tell China’s stories more beautifully.  He said moviemakers should strive to connect Chinese culture to the world in a more effective way.

Xi Jinping said cultural confidence represents a fundamental and profound force that sustains the development of a country and a nation. 

“We should cherish our cultural roots, draw on other cultures, and be forward-thinking.  We should do more to foster a Chinese spirit, Chinese values and Chinese strength to provide a source of cultural and moral guidance for our people,” Xi said. 

He said a socialist culture with Chinese characteristics should promote socialist material well being, raise socialist cultural-ethical standards, and be guided by Marxism.  He said writers and artists should simultaneously reflect real life and “extol our Party, our country, our people and our heroes.”