Digital Culture is a important force in enhancing national cultural soft power, and the level of cultural supply is an important indicator of the level of cultural development… The digitalization of culture is an important way to make culture come alive.
“Digital China Construction Series (Lesson 6 of 13): Create a Confident and Prosperous Digital Culture,” Beijing Party Member Education Network, April 11, 2025
On April 11, 2025, the Beijing Party Member Education Network released a remarkable 13-lesson educational series on China’s national digital strategy, Digital China. Designed as a foundational introduction, the course targets Party cadre and members and is intended to raise awareness, elevate political understanding, and standardize implementation.
Lesson Six One emphasizes Digital China‘s role in building a Cultural Great Power by 2035. The lesson also makes its central point unmistakably clear: The Party’s cultural digitalization effort is not just technological but also ideological, aiming to embed socialist values into the evolving fabric of China’s digital cultural landscape.
Global soft power
The integration of advanced technologies into cultural production is seen as a way to stimulate creativity, boost new cultural industries, and promote widespread cultural engagement. Digital platforms and online libraries are making cultural resources more accessible, while national initiatives like the Rural Internet Influencer program foster grassroots participation. By enhancing the country’s international image and cultural influence, Digital Culture plays a central role in strengthening China’s global soft power.
Cultural digitalization is technological and ideological
In the Party’s conception, “culture” is inseparable from ideology, encompassing not just arts and heritage but also Marxist theory and socialist values. National strategies mandate the integration of ideological, theoretical, and artistic content across digital formats, including video, audio, and text, to construct a holistic and ideologically aligned cultural system. Platforms are expected to not only entertain but also educate and uplift, guiding netizens and content creators toward producing “positive, healthy, and uplifting” digital works. The cultural digitalization effort, therefore, is not just technological but also ideological, aiming to embed socialist values into the evolving fabric of China’s digital cultural landscape.
Uneven content, uncertain sharing
Despite significant advancements, the challenges of digitizing and integrating China’s vast and diverse cultural traditions, both ancient and modern, remain considerable. Content quality is uneven, and the task of forming a logically connected, efficiently searchable, and comprehensively shared National Cultural Big Data System is complex and ongoing. Efforts to build the Chinese Culture Database involve inventorying and linking disparate data sources across sectors such as tourism, publishing, film, and heritage preservation. These efforts seek to reshape the cultural industry ecosystem, promote new digital formats, and ensure the sustainable, values-driven development of Digital Culture in China.
A Series Roadmap
If you are new to Digital China, you may want to begin with my overview of the strategy and a shortlist of key concepts that cadre are expected to master. Both will help you navigate the lessons.
Let’s continues the series with Lesson Six:
Each lesson’s web address is linked to its original Chinese-language title. Note: Some of these links may have security certificate issues. For your safety, I’ve also embedded a clean, archived copy of each video in the corresponding post. You can choose which version to view, but I recommend using the archived copy for a safer experience.
“Digital China Construction Series 6/13: Create a Confident and Prosperous Digital Culture” (数字中国建设系列之六：打造自信繁荣的数字文化), Beijing Party Member Education Network (北京党员教育网), April 11, 2025
Archived Video
Speaker: Beijing Guoheng Zhilin Cultural Communication Co., Ltd. (北京国恒智林文化传播有限公司)
Length: 08:58
Synopsis: In the digital age, the development of Digital Culture is an important starting point for building a Cultural Great Power, and it has irreplaceable significance in inheriting historical culture, carrying out cultural dissemination, and enhancing the influence of Chinese culture. We must promote the deep fusion of digital technology and culture, activate cultural resources with new technologies, new approaches, and new models, and create a confident and prosperous Digital Culture.
简介：在数字时代，发展数字文化是建设文化强国的重要抓手，在传承历史文化、开展文化传播、增强中华文化影响力等方面具有不可替代的意义。要促进数字技术与文化的深度融合，以新技术、新手段、新模式激活文化资源，打造自信繁荣的数字文化。
Terminology shortlist with footnoted definitions: Cultural Great Power1 (文化强国), deep fusion of digital technology and culture2 (数字技术与文化的深度融合), Digital Culture3 (数字文化).
Video Transcript and Translation
Terminology shortlist and other key terms are highlighted in blue.
00:24
At the opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, the five Olympic rings made of ice and snow emerged as if breaking through the ice, a 60-meter ice waterfall dramatized the Yellow River flowing from the heavens, and the performers coordinated seamlessly with wind and snow special effects. Eschewing the traditional strategy of mass participation, the technologically empowered artistic performance still delivered a powerful sensory impact and a fresh cultural experience.
2022年北京冬奥会开幕式上，破冰而出的冰雪五环，60米冰瀑演绎的黄河之水天上来，和表演者配合的天衣无缝的风雪特效。放弃了人海战术，科技赋能之下的艺术表演仍然给予了人们强烈的感官冲击和全新的文化体验。
00:47
Behind the stunning visual spectacle lies the integrated application of digital technologies such as holographic technology, 5G, autostereoscopy, 3D simulation, artificial intelligence, and motion tracking. The history of cultural development is also a history of the continuous fusion of culture and technology. “Lead and fire” fueled the booming development of books and newspapers, while “light and electricity” ushered in the flourishing of the radio and television industry.
而美轮美奂的视觉盛宴背后，是全息技术、5G, 裸眼3D, 三维仿真、人工智能、运动追踪等数字技术的集成应用。文化发展的历史，也是文化和科技不断融合的历史。”铅与火“助力了图书报刊的蓬勃发展，”光与电“ 打造了广播电视行业的兴盛繁荣。
01:13
Today, “data and networks”have given rise to new business formats such as Internet audiovisual and digital cultural tourism. As General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out, the fusion of culture and technology not only fosters new cultural formats and extends the cultural industry chain but also attracts a large number of innovative talents. It is a sunrise industry with vast potential. The report of the 20th National Party Congress set the goal of building a Cultural Great Power by 2035. It also emphasized the need to implement the National Cultural Digitalization Strategy, improve the modern Public Cultural Services System, and innovatively carry out cultural projects that benefit the people.
如今，“数与网“又催生出网络视听、数字文旅等新业态。正如习近平总书记所指出的，文化和科技融合。既催生了新的文化业态，延伸了文化产业链，又集聚了大量创新人才，是朝阳产业，大有前途。党的二十大报告提出到2035年要建成文化强国的目标，并强调要实施国家文化数字化战略，健全现代公共文化服务体系，创新实施文化惠民工程。
01:51
In the digital age, developing Digital Culture is a key lever for building a Cultural Great Power and an inherent requirement for promoting High Quality Development of the cultural industry. It plays an irreplaceable role in preserving historical culture, advancing cultural communication, and enhancing the influence of Chinese culture. As outlined in the Plan for the Global Layout of Digital China Construction, it is necessary to promote the deep fusion of digital technology and culture, activate cultural resources with new technologies, new approaches, and new models, and create a confident and prosperous Digital Culture.
在数字时代，发展数字文化是建设文化强国的重要抓手，是推动文化产业高质量发展的内在要求。在传承历史文化、开展文化传播、增强中华文化影响力等方面具有不可替代的意义。正如 “数字中国建设整体布局规划”中所提出的，要促进数字技术与文化的深度融合，以新技术、新手段、新模式激活文化资源, 打造自信繁荣的数字文化。
02:29
Vigorously develop Internet culture, strengthen the supply of high-quality Internet cultural products, and guide various platforms and netizens to create and produce positive, healthy, and uplifting Internet cultural content. Digital Culture is a important force in enhancing national cultural soft power, and the level of cultural supply is an important indicator of the level of cultural development.
大力发展网络文化， 加强优质网络文化产品供给，引导各类平台和广大网民创作生产积极,健康、向上向善的网络文化产品。数字文化是提升国家文化软实力的重要力量，文化供给水平则是衡量文化发展水平的重要指标。
02:54
To develop Digital Culture, the main focus should be on comprehensively deepening reform of the cultural supply side, vigorously developing Internet culture, and enhancing the quality of cultural content. It is essential to strengthen the supply of high-quality Internet cultural content. Internet technologies and New Media have transformed traditional cultural forms, given rise to a wide range of new cultural types, and also brought about profound changes in cultural concepts and cultural practices.
发展数字文化，要将全面深化文化供给侧改革作为主要着力点，大力发展网络文化，提升文化供给质量。加强优质网络文化产品供给。互联网技术和新媒体改变了原有的文化形态，催生了一大批新的文化类型，也带来文化观念和文化实践的深刻变化。
03:22
In recent years, the themes in our country’s Internet culture have become increasingly diverse, with innovative forms, upgraded industry development, and a steadily growing user base. Due to its rapid dissemination, broad reach, and strong interactivity, its influence expands day by day. But at the same time, the quality of content remains uneven, and there is significant room for improvement. It is necessary to guide platforms and netizens to create and produce more healthy and high-quality Internet cultural content.
近年来，我国网络文化题材日趋丰富，形式多有创新，产业发展升级，用户规模不断增长。因为传播快、受众广、互动性强，影响力日渐扩大。但与此同时，创作水平参差不齐，质量提升空间巨大，需要引导各平台和广大网民创作生产出更多健康优质的网络文化产品。
03:52
Based on gathering high-quality Internet cultural resources, efforts have been made to actively mobilize public enthusiasm for co-creation and to encourage citizens to become producers and providers of cultural content. This also helps further enrich Internet culture. For example, the National Public Cultural Cloud Platform launched a ‘Rural Internet Influencer’ training plan in 2021, which has since cultivated over 100 spokespersons for beautiful rural areas. It has also attracted a group of cultural celebrities to serve as volunteer promoters to help build rural civilization and revitalize the countryside, with a cumulative fan base of more than 100 million people.
在集结优质网络文化资源的基础上，积极调动民间共创热情，鼓励民众成为文化内容的生产者、提供者。也有利于进一步繁荣网络文化。以国家公共文化云平台为例，2021年，平台推出了 “乡村网红” 培育计划，迄今已培育美丽乡村代言人100多位, 并吸引了一批文化名人担任志愿推介员，助力乡风文明建设和乡村振兴，粉丝量累计超过1亿人。
04:30
We will promote the cultural digitalized development, deeply implement the National Cultural Digitalization Strategy, build a National Cultural Big Data System, and form a Chinese Culture Database. The digitalization of culture is an important way to make culture come alive.
推进文化数字化发展，深入实施国家文化数字化战略，建设国家文化大数据体系，形成中华文化数据库。文化数字化是让文化火起来的重要途径。
04:46
With the help of the ‘wings’ of digitalization, cultural and museum resources have gone online, and intangible cultural heritage projects have broken out of their niche. China’s outstanding traditional culture has undergone creative transformation and innovative development. New formats such as digital art, animation and gaming, and immersive experiences are thriving, giving rise to a wealth of original and trendy digital cultural works. To advance the implementation of the National Cultural Digitalization Strategy, we must first inventory and link data on cultural resources across different domains, then interconnect it to form a Chinese Culture Database.
借助数字化这个 “翅膀”, 文博资源上 “线”, 非遗项目出”圈”。中华优秀传统文化有了创造性转化、创新性发展，数字艺术、动漫游戏, 沉浸式体验等新业态, 蓬勃发展，创作出大量新颖时尚的数字文化精品。推进实施国家文化数字化战略，首先要盘点, 贯通不同领域的文化资源数据，关联形成中华文化数据库。
05:18
In 2022, the General Office of the Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council issued the Opinions on Advancing the Implementation of the National Cultural Digitization Strategy. The document calls for interconnecting data on cultural resources across various domains, such as ideology and theory, cultural tourism, cultural relics, news and publishing, film, radio and television, Internet culture and arts; interconnecting different forms of data on cultural resources, such as text, audio, and video; and interconnecting data on cultural resources with cultural entities.
2022年，中共中央办公厅、国务院办公厅印发 “关于推进实施国家文化数字化战略的意见。” 将关联思想理论、文化旅游、文物、新闻出版、电影、广播电视, 网络文化文艺等不同领域的文化资源数据，关联文字、音频、视频等不同形态的文化资源数据，关联文化数据源和文化实体。
05:45
Establishing a Chinese Culture Database is one of the key tasks, clearly stating that by 2035 a National Cultural Big Data System will be built that features physical distribution, logical connections, rapid linking, efficient search, comprehensive sharing, and focused integration. Advancing cultural digitalized development requires deep implementation of the National Cultural Digitalization Strategy, building a National Cultural Big Data System, and forming a Chinese Culture Database.
形成中华文化数据库作为重点任务之一，并明确提出，到2035年，建成物理分布、逻辑关联、快速链接、高效搜索、全面共享、重点集成的国家文化大数据体系。推进文化数字化发展，深入实施国家文化数字化战略，建设国家文化大数据体系，形成中华文化数据库。
06:15
This will enable better extraction of Chinese cultural elements, symbols, and identifiers with heritage value, enriching the contemporary expression of the cultural genes of the Chinese nation. It allows cultural resources to “emerge” from history, “come alive” through light and shadow, and “gain popularity” among the public, thereby inspiring a strong sense of cultural confidence and pride across the nation. Ultimately, this cultural vitality will be transformed into a powerful spiritual force for building a Modernized Socialist Great Power.
就能更好的提取具有传承价值的中华文化元素、符号和标识，丰富中华民族文化基因的当代表达。让文化资源从历史中 “走出来,” 于光影中 “活过来,” 在大众中 “火起来,”从而激发全民族的文化自信心和自豪感。并将其转化为建设社会主义现代化强国的强大精神动力。
06:46
Enhance the capacity for Digital Cultural services, develop a number of comprehensive Digital Culture display platforms, and accelerate the development of new type cultural enterprises, cultural formats, and cultural consumption models. The Outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan clearly proposes the implementation of the Cultural Industry Digitalization Strategy, with an emphasis on accelerating the development of new type cultural enterprises, cultural formats, and cultural consumption models. It also calls for strengthening industries such as digital creativity, Internet audiovisual, digital publishing, digital entertainment, and online broadcasting.
提升数字文化服务能力，打造若干综合性数字文化展示平台，加快发展新型文化企业、文化业态、文化消费模式。’十四五’规划 “纲要” 明确提出，实施文化产业数字化战略，加快发展新型文化企业、文化业态、文化消费模式。壮大数字创意、网络视听、数字出版、数字娱乐、线上演播等产业。
07:17
As the National Cultural Digitization Strategy continues to advance, it has not only promoted the digitalized transformation and upgrading of cultural institutions but also given rise to many new cultural industries and new cultural domains. This has reshaped the cultural industry ecosystem and formed a rich new scene of digital cultural consumption. With the help of new online borrowing models in public libraries, vast digital resources are now accessible with just one click.
随着国家文化数字化战略的深入推进，不仅促进了文化机构数字化转型升级，还催生了许多文化新行业、新领域。重塑了文化产业生态，形成了丰富的数字化文化消费新场景。借助公共图书馆线上借阅新模式，海量数字资源一键直达。
07:42
With the help of next-generation AI music creation platforms, music lovers can now compose their own works using just a smartphone. The development of digital platforms such as Digital Dunhuang and the Panoramic Forbidden City allows more people to experience the beauty of cultural landmarks like the Mogao Caves and the Forbidden City online, supporting cultural relics preservation and the transmission of cultural heritage. By enhancing digital cultural service capabilities and building Digital Culture display platforms, the exploration of how digitalization can empower new types of cultural enterprises, cultural formats, and consumption models has been advanced.
利用新一代人工智能音乐创作平台，音乐爱好者用手机就能创作作品。通过数字敦煌、全景故宫等数字平台的建设，让更多人从线上领略莫高窟和故宫等古迹的魅力，助力文物保护和文化遗产传承。通过提升数字文化服务能力，打造数字文化展示平台，推动了数字化赋能新型文化企业、文化业态、文化消费模式的探索。
08:17
According to the 2020 Digital Cultural Industry Employment Research Report released by Renmin University of China, the total number of full-time and part-time employees in four key sectors of the digital cultural industry — gaming, e-sports, live streaming, and literature — reached approximately 30 million, surpassing the 27.89 million employed in traditional cultural industries as reported by the National Bureau of Statistics. Among the top 100 private cultural enterprises in Beijing, more than 70% are digital cultural companies.
中国人民大学发布的 “数字文化产业就业研究报告2020” 显示，在游戏、电竞、直播、文学四个数字文化产业领域。全职和兼职就业人数约3,000万，超过了国家统计局公布的2,789万传统文化产业从业人数。北京民营文化企业百强中，数字文化企业占比超过70%。
08:44
For new forms of employment, this fully demonstrates that the digital cultural industry is both attractive and full of promise.
对于新的就业形态来说，这充分体现出数字文化产业是有吸引力和充满希望的。
Footnotes
- Cultural Great Power (文化强国). “In the digital age, developing Digital Culture is a key lever for building a Cultural Great Power and an inherent requirement for promoting High Quality Development of the cultural industry. It plays an irreplaceable role in preserving historical culture, advancing cultural communication, and enhancing the influence of Chinese culture,” see, “Inside Digital China (6/13): Digital Culture.” ↩︎
- deep fusion of digital technology and culture (数字技术与文化的深度融合). “As outlined in the Plan for the Global Layout of Digital China Construction, it is necessary to promote the deep fusion of digital technology and culture, activate cultural resources with new technologies, new approaches, and new models, and create a confident and prosperous Digital Culture,” see, “Inside Digital China (6/13): Digital Culture.” ↩︎
- Digital Culture (数字文化). “Digital Culture is a important force in enhancing national cultural soft power, and the level of cultural supply is an important indicator of the level of cultural development,” see, “Inside Digital China (6/13): Digital Culture.” ↩︎