HOSTILE FORCES in the West are using culture to sow division in China, President Hu Jintao has claimed, and cadres must be forthright in fighting this ideological struggle and try to expand China’s cultural influence.
"We must clearly see that international hostile forces are intensifying the strategic plot of westernising and dividing China, and ideological and cultural fields are the focal areas of their long-term infiltration," Mr Hu said in a speech to party leaders publicised this week in party magazine Qiushi– or "Seeking Truth" – which was originally delivered in October.
The comments are in line with a major policy initiative outlined in October when the Communist Party announced it was set on boosting the country’s culture industries, such as film, book publishing and art, as well as its overseas influence, while reinforcing socialist principles.
Their publication in Qiushi, founded in 1958 by Mao Zedong at the start of a new year, is most likely a sign Mr Hu is keen to keep pushing the policy of boosting China's cultural influence.
“We should deeply understand the seriousness and complexity of the ideological struggle, always sound the alarms and remain vigilant, and take forceful measures to be on guard and respond,” Mr Hu said in the speech, delivered at an annual policy meeting of the party’s Central Committee, effectively the 365 most powerful people in China.
The Communist Party is trying to shore up support for its socialist principles at a time when there are growing calls for greater representation from China’s ever-expanding middle class. There is also rising anger at corruption and land grabs by unscrupulous property developers.
The party keeps a tight grip on cultural output through censorship. Building up a party-driven cultural bulwark against calls for reform is crucial. Its control of internet content through the system of restrictions dubbed the Great Firewall of China is generally effective, while recent months have seen the party roll back freedoms for reality TV shows, game shows and X-Factorstyle programmes on satellite TV.
The Communist Party often characterises efforts to boost socialist values as an ideological struggle with the West, especially the US. It says it needs to stifle freedom of expression to ensure Chinese values prevail.
The most popular films in China in recent years have overwhelmingly been Hollywood blockbusters such as the Harry Pottertitles, Pirates of the Caribbeanand Avatar– although there have been some exceptions.
The party has replied with its own efforts at blockbuster titles. Last year's Beginning of the Great Revival, which hailed the Communist Party's 90th anniversary, was not a big success, but 2009's The Founding of a Republic,marking 60 years of Communist rule, was popular.