Published by ChinaMNC · Weiningyizuhuizumiaozu

China's Cultural Policy Under Xi Jinping Thought: Key Takeaways for Foreign Founders

An overview of China's cultural development priorities under Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, and what foreign founders should know about the policy environment for culture-related businesses.

Understanding China's Cultural Policy Direction

For foreign founders operating or planning to register a company in China, keeping abreast of policy trends—even in areas seemingly unrelated to business—can provide valuable context for strategic planning. A recent official article from the Bijie Municipal Government portal, sourced from Xinhua, outlines the progress of China's cultural development under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture. While the article is focused on domestic cultural and ideological matters, it reveals several policy priorities that may indirectly affect foreign-invested enterprises, particularly those in cultural, creative, tourism, and related sectors. Below we summarize the key facts from the source and highlight potential implications for foreign founders.

Policy Framework: Xi Jinping Thought on Culture

The source describes Xi Jinping Thought on Culture as a theoretical summary of the Party's practical experience in leading cultural construction in the new era, and as a major achievement in advancing Marxist cultural theory. It is positioned as a guide for propaganda, ideological and cultural work, and for building a strong socialist culture. The article notes that in the opening year of the 15th Five-Year Plan, cultural creation is vibrant across the country, and the building of a socialist cultural power has taken solid steps. The strategic task of "stimulating the innovative and creative vitality of the entire nation's culture and prospering and developing socialist culture" has been written into the 15th Five-Year Plan outline, clarifying the goals and paths for cultural prosperity and building a cultural power.

Key Developments and Their Relevance

The article lists several concrete developments that may be of interest to foreign founders:

• Publication of theoretical works: Several works by Xi Jinping have been published, including Selected Works of Xi Jinping on Culture (Volumes I and II), Excerpts of Xi Jinping's Discourses on Establishing and Practicing a Correct View of Political Achievements, Selected Works of Xi Jinping on Party Building (Volumes I and II), and Chronicle of Governance in the New Era (Volume I, Chinese and English editions). These publications reflect the ideological underpinnings of current policy.
• Philosophy and social sciences: Xi Jinping issued important instructions on promoting high-quality development of philosophy and social sciences, emphasizing adherence to the Party's leadership, deepening systematic and theoretical research on the Party's innovative theories, and accelerating the construction of an independent knowledge system for Chinese philosophy and social sciences. This suggests continued support for research aligned with national priorities.
• Grassroots dissemination: Innovative theoretical learning activities, such as Shandong Zibo's "Mingli Hutong" and Chongqing's "Xiaoyuan Lecture Hall," as well as youth宣讲 teams like the "8090 New Era Theory Publicity Group" and Fudan University's "Spark" volunteer service team, are popular among the public. This indicates a focus on making policy theories accessible at the grassroots level.
• Core socialist values: The article highlights the integration of core socialist values into rule of law, social development, and daily life, with ongoing "Hundred Lectures on Core Values" and the emergence of "Role Models of the Times," "Good Chinese People," and "Most Beautiful Figures." Positive online energy and civilized rural customs are emphasized. For businesses, this underscores the importance of aligning corporate behavior with socialist core values.
• Cultural heritage protection: The article notes the inclusion of "Jingdezhen Handicraft Porcelain Industry Remains" as China's 61st World Heritage site at the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea, on July 25, 2026. It also mentions the issuance of the 15th Five-Year Plan for Cultural Heritage Protection and Inheritance by the General Offices of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, the completion of the fourth national cultural relics census provincial verification, and the gradual improvement of intangible cultural heritage inheritance and experience facilities. The "large-scale protection pattern" for cultural heritage is becoming clearer.
• Cultural and creative industries: The article states that "ancient style and national trend have become 'top-tier aesthetics' for young people." Historical and cultural blocks in Beijing (Longfusi), Suzhou (Pingjiang Road), and Fuzhou (Sanfang Qixiang) attract visitors who appreciate intangible cultural heritage, buy cultural creative products, and taste time-honored brands. Revolutionary sites and memorial halls receive 600 million visits annually. This indicates a growing market for cultural tourism and creative products.
• Public cultural services: There are 3,253 public libraries, 7,188 museums, and nearly 44,000 mass cultural institutions providing public cultural services. The article also mentions the popularity of cultural tourism markets and events like "City Super" and "Village Super" (likely referring to local sports leagues).
• Integration with other sectors: Xi Jinping emphasized the need to actively develop modern service industries, utilize rich cultural resources, and promote the integrated development of culture, business, tourism, sports, and exhibitions. The article notes that 14,900 intangible cultural heritage workshops drive employment and income growth for over 1.3 million people in related industries. The Opinions on Promoting the High-Quality Development of Historical Classic Industries deploys the creation of several hundred-billion-scale characteristic industrial clusters. Culture is thus positioned as a key support for high-quality development, expanding domestic demand, and boosting consumption and confidence.

Implications for Foreign Founders

While the article is primarily ideological, it signals several practical points for foreign founders:

• Cultural sectors are prioritized: The emphasis on cultural heritage, creative industries, and tourism integration suggests opportunities for foreign investment in these areas, provided projects align with national and local cultural policies.
• Compliance with socialist core values: Businesses are expected to operate in a manner consistent with socialist core values. This may affect content, marketing, and corporate social responsibility strategies.
• Support for cultural tourism and consumption: The growth of cultural tourism and the popularity of cultural creative products indicate a expanding market that foreign companies in design, hospitality, and entertainment might explore.
• Policy incentives for specific industries: The mention of hundred-billion-scale industrial clusters and intangible cultural heritage workshops suggests potential government support for related industries, which could benefit foreign firms partnering with local entities.
• Importance of heritage protection: If your business involves heritage sites or traditional crafts, be aware of the strengthening regulatory framework for cultural heritage protection.

Next Steps

Foreign founders should monitor these policy trends and consider how they may impact their business strategy in China. Engaging with local authorities and understanding the cultural policy landscape can be crucial for successful market entry and operations. For personalized guidance on navigating China's regulatory environment, consider consulting professionals.

Call to Action: Foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535 for help registering and operating a company in China.

This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.