Xi stresses efforts to build China into cultural powerhouse by 2035

President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Monday emphasized focusing efforts to build the country into a powerhouse in culture by the year 2035.

Xi made the statement while presiding over a group study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

He stressed efforts to continuously develop a socialist culture with Chinese characteristics for the new era, while keeping adopting a people-centered approach to cement the cultural foundation underpinning China's national rejuvenation.

Also attending the group study session were other Chinese leaders -- Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi, all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

Professor Wang Bo, vice president of Peking University, elaborated on the theme of the group study and came up with corresponding work proposals.

At the session, Xi emphasized unswerving adherence to taking the path of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics under CPC leadership, and developing a scientific and people-oriented socialist culture for the nation that embraces modernization, the world and the future.

Xi urged redoubled efforts to ignite the cultural creativity of the entire nation, and remain committed to people-centered cultural creation.

He said efforts should be made to ensure that the cultural sector prioritizes social benefit while also producing economic returns.

Xi also stressed renewing the evolution of the Chinese civilization through innovative development, urging protection of cultural treasures and promotion of China's traditional culture infused with contemporary relevance.

He called for improving the systems and mechanisms for protecting and inheriting cultural heritage and accelerating the refinement of relevant laws and regulations.

Xi underscored efforts to keep promoting China's cultural soft power and the influence of Chinese culture, and to promote restructuring of China's international publicity sector.

He called for more active efforts to publicize China's views and Chinese culture, and present China's image, and also efforts to extensively launch international cultural exchange and cooperation in various forms.

He urged efforts to integrate diverse global cultural achievements into China's cultural development.

Xi concluded his remarks by calling cultural development a shared mission of the entire Party and society, emphasizing the central leadership's role in guiding cultural work, and urging the governments at all levels to strengthen leadership over, and develop human resources and mobilize other resources for cultural advancement, in rallying collective efforts to achieve the goal of building China into cultural powerhouse.

Xi stresses efforts to build China into cultural powerhouse by 2035

Xi stresses efforts to build China into cultural powerhouse by 2035

Xi stresses efforts to build China into cultural powerhouse by 2035

Xi stresses efforts to build China into cultural powerhouse by 2035

Xi stresses efforts to build China into cultural powerhouse by 2035

A solar-powered borehole drilling program supported by China has expanded water access across Zimbabwe's rural and peri-urban communities, strengthening disaster recovery and sustaining livelihoods since Cyclone Idai struck in 2019.

Tropical Cyclone Idai entered Zimbabwe from neighboring Mozambique, triggering floods and causing tragic losses of life and property.

Launched under a Chinese government initiative to restore water and sanitation services after cyclones and drought, the program has delivered lasting benefits.

At Mahusekwa Growth Point, where boreholes were drilled last year, reliable water now sustains dozens of small businesses and households, underscoring how the intervention continues to shape community resilience seven years on.

"We now have clean water to wash our products and for customers to wash their hands before they eat. We also fetch water to use at our homes because there is an intermittent supply," said Cynthia Garan'nga, a market vendor.

Reliable water access has also created employment opportunities, especially for young entrepreneurs such as car wash owner Loveness Marabwanya.

"Maybe I was going to get people to fetch water for me from the river, but it's very far and I was going to pay more for that. To imagine that the water is just like a few meters away, it's very easy and convenient for me," she said.

The borehole is solar powered, which means the community can access water at any hour of the day, and that refers to greater reliability and sustainability. There are no longer any limitations of fuel costs or power cuts.

Mahusekwa is one of more than 300 communities nationwide benefiting from boreholes drilled under Chinese disaster assistance. Around 60 of them are in Mashonaland East, where water shortages had long slowed development and undermined food security.

"These boreholes came at the right time. Remember the last two or three years we have been having droughts," said Jeremiah Gwanzura, chairperson of Marondera Rural District Council.

Gwanzura says the availability of water is sustaining livelihoods and boosting production, even during prolonged dry spells.

"We have livelihoods in terms of livestock cattle, people are doing boilers behind the scenes, road runners, goats, piggery projects within the rural set-up, and if there is the missing link of water, it means we are going nowhere. Some of the areas in the rural areas are using it for nutritional gardens, going to the market, so they will be watering their vegetables, they will be watering their plants," he said.

At a national level, authorities say the boreholes reflect a shift from emergency response to long-term resilience.

"In any disaster recovery programme, what we always talk about is building-back better. And I'm sure this principle of building-back better, you can actually see it in the way that we are establishing these boreholes in Chimanimani, Masvingo, Midlands and Mashonaland East," said Nathan Nkomo, chief director of the Civil Protection Department.

Beyond water access, China has also supported food security through agricultural training, helping communities rebuild stronger and more sustainably in the years since Cyclone Idai.

China-supported borehole program expands water access, strengthens Zimbabwe's disaster recovery