This piece is a few months old, but I find it important and post-worthy.–Kirk
Source: China File (1/31/22)
A Vast Network of ‘New Era Civilization Practice Centers’ Is Beijing’s Latest Bid to Reclaim Hearts and Minds
By Jessica Batke
Primary Sources:
New Era Civilization Practice Centers Infographic
Haiwan Town New Era Civilization Practice Volunteer Service Activity List
“Guiding Opinion on the Work of Constructing New Era Civilization Practice Centers Pilot Project” (Chinese)
“Implementation Plan to Deepen and Expand the Pilot Project of Constructing New Era Civilization Practice Centers” (English and Chinese)
“Implementation Plan for Constructing New Era Civilization Practice Volunteer Service Mechanisms” (Chinese)
Translation of Selected Terms
New Era Civilization Practice Center (county level) 新时代文明实践中心
New Era Civilization Practice Institute (township level) 新时代文明实践所
New Era Civilization Practice Station (village level) 新时代文明实践站
Central Guidance Commission on Building Spiritual Civilization 中央精神文明建设指导委员会
Volunteer service with Chinese characteristics 中国特色志愿服务
Propagandize to the masses, educate the masses, lead the masses, serve the masses 宣传群众、教育群众、 引领群众、服务群众
In a rural county in southern China, more than ten thousand volunteers, scattered across mountain villages and rice paddies, are out gathering local folk songs. Their charge: to bring back paeans to “the new era and new thought” at the heart of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s vision for China’s political future.
The folk song compilers are just one of “seven detachments in the mountains,” teams of volunteers throughout Longli County in China’s Guizhou province working to “forge mass solidarity, guide the masses, inculcate a correct cultural disposition in individuals, improve social mores, and adjust people’s behavior.” Members of the “Pure Folkways” detachment go door to door to urge thrift and discourage lavish spending on events like weddings and New Year’s banquets. The “Grateful to the Party” detachment’s formerly poverty-stricken households work to assist their less fortunate neighbors. Other detachments mediate disputes, organize neighborhood clean-up, and tend to children and elderly relatives left behind when working-age adults in their households seek employment elsewhere. Continue reading