Xi Jinping tells China’s writers and artists to ‘practise morality and decency’
- ‘It is necessary to broadly unite and gather patriotic and dedicated literature and art workers under the leadership of the party,’ Chinese president says
- Remarks to Federation of Chinese Literary and Art Circles come after arrests of the pianist Li Yundi and pop star Kris Wu Yifan on sex charges
Morality and decency should be the first and foremost values for artists and writers, Chinese President Xi Jinping told a national conference on Tuesday in Beijing.
“The people and times will say no to any artists and writers who fail in morality and decency,” Xi said in his address to the Federation of Chinese Literary and Art Circles and its subordinate organisation, the Chinese Writers Association.
Artists and writers “who don’t respect themselves will not be respected”, the state broadcaster CCTV quoted Xi as saying.
“Our artists and writers must practise morality and decency, have good taste and be responsible,” he added. “They must be honest and clean, and their work should be about human decency and never compromise themselves for falsehood and decadence.”
Xi also laid out his expectation that China’s writers and artists should strive for high-quality work with good taste.
“Arts and culture should lead the times but cannot be about things that are bizarre and ridiculous,” he said. “While [market] efficiency is important, [writers and artists] cannot become the slaves of the market and money.”
Xi also stressed the Communist Party’s leadership in developing socialist literature and art, urging the writers and artists to be “patriotic”.
“It is necessary to broadly unite and gather patriotic and dedicated literature and art workers under the leadership of the party, and cultivate a large number of writers and artists with both integrity and ability,” Xi said.
02:19
Public censure of China’s piano prince Li Yundi over sex scandal questioned
Xi’s comments came two months after the renowned pianist Li Yundi was accused of patronising a prostitute in Beijing.
Li, 39, was held by Beijing police for 15 days in October after he was found visiting a sex worker in Chaoyang district.
He was expelled by the China Musicians Association and the China Association of Performing Arts ordered all its members to boycott him. Li has yet to make a public appearance since his release.
In August, Chinese-Canadian rapper and singer Kris Wu Yifan, 31, was arrested in Beijing over allegations of rape. Wu has remained in detention.
