People's Daily:
The socialist core values were raised at the 18th CPC National Congress as an important concept. And 10 years later, the values have been deeply rooted among the people, fully demonstrating the mainstream values of society. Can you tell us the measures taken to promote a deep understanding of these values? Thank you.
Sun Yeli:
Thanks for this question. I just introduced some relevant information and will now add some more. Fostering and practicing core socialist values is the fundamental work for strengthening our cohesion and consolidating foundations. The values describe what kind of country and society we aim to build and what kind of citizens we aim to cultivate. Such values cannot be cultivated overnight, rather, it requires continued efforts. Over the past 10 years, we have focused on fostering new generations to shoulder the great task of national rejuvenation. We made solid efforts in a thorough and integrated way, with a focus on details, in a bid to further cultivate these values.
First, we enhanced the top design. We established and improved the system of Party and state awards and honors. Important ceremonies were held to highlight China's spirit and China's values, including the ceremony marking the centenary of the CPC. These hugely inspired people's devotion to the Party, the country, and society. We issued and implemented policies regarding the promotion of citizens' morals, fostering patriotism, and strengthening and improving the political beliefs in the new era. We pushed the formulation and revision of laws on the national anthem, the national flag, the national emblem, and the protection of heroes and martyrs. These provided institutional guarantee and legal support for promoting the socialist core values.
Second, we laid emphasis on the exemplary vanguard role. We let individuals and groups with outstanding performance to set the examples. We awarded the ‘Models of the Times' title to 136 groups and individuals. A total of 299 people received the title of national model of high morality, 300 were honored as beautiful and hardworking, 736 as the most beautiful, and 11,585 as ‘Good Samaritans of China.' We have created an atmosphere for people to respect virtues and good deeds and learn from virtuous persons. We also organized thematic educational activities for the public to participate in, which are titled "faithfully follow the Party" and "join the efforts of building a strong country and national rejuvenation." We hosted lectures on the core values and rolled out public service ads, short films, and micro-videos in a bid to bring change gradually.
Third, we paid attention to practicing and cultivating the values. We promoted cultural and ideological progress through public activities. We selected and commended a total of 256 civilized national cities (districts), 4,625 civilized villages and towns, 7,444 civilized entities, 799 civilized families, and 1,135 civilized schools. These efforts have paid off. We enhanced the work in building centers for improving cultural life in the new era. We carried out public benefit activities to help the poor and those in need, raise funds for charity, and organized volunteer teachers, and offered aid to students. We pushed the systemization of volunteer services in the name of Lei Feng. We tackled prominent moral issues, promoted the improvement of the social climate, practiced austerity, and prevented waste of food by promoting campaigns such as "Clear Your Plate" and "be a decent diner". The level of civilization of society has remarkably improved thusly. Thank you.