During the Chinese New Year holiday, the official party journal “Qiushi” published an article on January 31, attributed to Chinese leader Xi Jinping, emphasizing the importance of family education and its connection to “loving the party.” This reiteration of Xi’s speech from over eight years ago has sparked attention from the public as China faces economic downturns and escalating social crises. Critics argue that Xi’s regime is seeking to politicize the family unit, extending its control over society into the realm of family life, reflecting their anxiety towards maintaining political stability.
In his article, Xi Jinping stressed the significance of “family, family education, and family virtues,” proclaiming that these aspects are vital for the stability of the nation and society. He called for guiding family members, especially the younger generation, to “love the party” among other directives.
The article was identified as part of Xi’s speech during a meeting with representatives of the first national model families on December 12, 2016.
Political commentator Li Lin expressed to Epoch Times that Xi Jinping often employs grandiose terms in his speeches such as “family, family education, and family virtues,” even mentioning “the virtues of the Chinese nation,” but these are distractions. The true core of his message lies in the requirement for people to “love the party” and ensure loyalty to his authoritarian rule. Throughout the history of the Chinese Communist Party, various movements have disrupted Chinese families, particularly during the Cultural Revolution with instances of internal strife, marital discord, and familial conflicts.
Five years after Xi’s speech in 2016, the Chinese Communist Party enacted the “Family Education Promotion Law” in 2021, which came into effect in January 2022. The law outlines six key points for conducting family education for minors, with a heavy emphasis on “loving the party, loving the country,” and instilling values like safeguarding national unity.
Furthermore, the law specifies that government bodies at the county level and above are tasked with “guiding family education work,” while various departments such as public security, civil affairs, justice, market supervision, broadcasting, sports, news publishing, and internet management are responsible for overseeing “family education.” Additionally, organizations including the Party’s trade unions, Communist Youth League, Disabled Persons’ Federation, and Scientific and Technological Association support efforts in “family education.”
China affairs expert Wang He explained to the Epoch Times that the Chinese Communist Party’s approach to education aims to instill loyalty to the party as a tool for political indoctrination, ultimately reinforcing its authoritarian rule. The content of the “Family Education Promotion Law” passed by the National People’s Congress in 2021 underscores this intent.
Wang He noted that the revival of Xi’s old article during the holiday season serves as a timely piece. While the “Family Education Promotion Law” was implemented in 2022, it may remain largely on paper with little societal impact. Owing to the Chinese government’s regressive actions, worsening social conditions, a struggling economy, and growing discontent among the populace, especially with policies like the Three-Child Policy, many young people are hesitant to start families.
In recent years, China has experienced economic downturns and a rise in violent social incidents, deepening the crisis in Communist rule. Wang He opined that Xi’s move to politicize families and extend control into family education reflects his anxiety towards maintaining stability in power. Attempting to shore up his leadership by starting at the grassroots level of family education, Xi’s authority has faced challenges internally and externally over the past year, leaving him increasingly powerless amidst the current circumstances.