Hu Jintao and The Socialist Core Value System: A Brief Presentation

Hu Jintao and The Socialist Core Value System

A Brief Presentation 

by Jan Freidun Taravosh 13th of December 2009

“Follow science; discard superstition”

- Hu Jintao

Introduction:

Following the Sixth Plenum of the 16th CPC CentralCommittee in 2006 at which the CPC highlighted the importance of creating a

socialist harmonious society. China View through the Central News Agency Xinua wrote a great article on the formulation The Core Socialist Value System, a basic concept formulated by General Secretary Hu Jintao who succeeds in crystallising the basic principles of the Socialist Core Values in a poetic yet uncomplicated way.

   Part I: Origins of The Core Socialist Value System

As a large development country with a giant population, the China PR finds itself in a peculiar position.

Recognising the fact that the multi ethnic nation which consists of more than 50 ethnic group is going through a dynamic process of development - The Core Socialist Value System has been developed as a means for advocating for Social Harmony it is accessible to everyone regardless of ethnicity. The system came into creation March 2006

 Part II:Interpreting the meaning of The Core Socialist Value System

(A): The basic Principles. 

First let us turn back to the aforementioned China View and reflect over the basic principles of the Core Socialist Value System.

The principles are as follows: 

   -- Love the country; do it no harm

   -- Serve the people; never betray them

   -- Follow science; discard superstition

   -- Be diligent; not indolent

   -- Be united, help each other; make no gains at other's expense

   -- Be honest and trustworthy; do not sacrifice ethics for profit

   -- Be disciplined and law-abiding; not chaotic and lawless

   -- Live plainly, work hard; do not wallow in luxuries and pleasures.

 The Central  theme is  Genuinely  people’s oriented politics which is created through broad unity. 

The Socialist Core Value System also makes clear that political stability is underpinned by honesty, and social commitment. The above signifies  the basic moral guidelines of the Socialist Society in China it calls on people to shun corruption and  at the same time  it also endorses The Scientific Development Concept.

 (B) Why was this core value system formulated?

Judging from the basic principles judging simply the words alone it is obvious that the principles of the value system corresponds well with the The Scientific Development Concept endorsed by the CPC as an important guideline for development at the most recent congress (the 17th congress 2007).

 Although the  consolidation of The Scientific Development Concept, is an important factor this does no however give the whole answer to the question posed above.

Both the The Scientific Development Concept and The Socialist Core Value system stresses the need for social harmony. I.E. both ideas originate from the same source and complement one another.

In the course of developing Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, the position of the CPC is clear, the importance of social harmony cannot be underestimated. This has a lot to do with the current phase of dynamic development the country finds itself in.

Returning  to Party Resolutions in relation to the publication of the socialist core value system which is quoted in the above mentioned article, the new challenges that have arisen in the course of Chinas economic development is being sighted as the main reason for formulating the Socialist Core Value System

  

 ”China's rapid economic development has led to significant changes

to the Chinese society and people's way of living and thinking.

Such unprecedented social changes have brought great vitality to

China's development and progress, but have resulted in various

contradictions and problems," 

The words from the article quoted above echoes Deng Xiaoping’s words that socialism is no easy job nevertheless the formulating of the Socialist Core Value System as indicated above has developed naturally to to the specific course of development that the multi ethnic nation finds itself in.

Efforts are thus being made to embody the Chinese society with the Socialist Core Value System in all sphere’s of society and public life.

The Central Committee in this context puts special weight on the importance of introducing this system in the fields of national education in the promotion of moral ethics and modernisation. The Author of The Socialist Core Value System Comrade Hu Jintao also stresses the importance of educating the Youth - thus one can come to the conclusion that the Value system was also authored especially with the needs of the youth in mind.