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PRESIDENT Xi Jinping yesterday called on artists to present socialist core values in their work.

“Fine artworks should be like sunshine from blue sky and breeze in spring that will inspire minds, warm hearts, cultivate taste and clean up undesirable work styles,” Xi said at a symposium that gathered some of the country’s most renowned authors, actors, scriptwriters and dancers.

Life-like works should be created so as to tell people in a “covert but influential” way what should be praised and what should be denied, he said. Artworks should also present patriotism as the main theme and foster correct viewpoints of history, nationality and culture, as well as strengthen pride in being Chinese.

The “pursuit of the true, the good and the beautiful” is the mission of artists as the best works of art “touch people, baptize their soul and enable them to find beauty in nature, life and their minds,” the president said.

Xi said that traditional Chinese culture is the lifeblood of China and an important source of socialist core values, as well as “a foundation for China to compete in the world.”

Artists were also urged to learn from outstanding art worldwide.

“Chinese art will further develop only when we make foreign things serve China, and bring Chinese and Western arts together via thorough understanding,” he said.

The president also called for the strengthening of art criticism.