A symposium was held Wednesday to commemorate the 70th anniversary of a celebrated speech on art and literature delivered by late Chairman Mao Zedong at the former revolutionary base of Yan'an on May 23, 1942.

Mao Zedong made the speech at a meeting held in Yan'an to discuss the orientation of Chinese revolutionary art and literature in May, 1942. [ File photo ]

President Hu Jintao, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said the speech is "a creative combination of the basic principles of Marxism and the practices of Chinese revolutionary art and literature," as well as described it as a "classic document."

Generations of artists have been inspired by the speech to create works that provide "strong spiritual strength" for China's construction and reform, Hu said.

Mao delivered his speech at a meeting held in Yan'an to discuss the orientation of Chinese revolutionary art and literature 70 years ago. He said arts should serve workers, soldiers and farmers, stressing that artists should go into the grassroots of the people and the struggles in order to make contributions to the revolution.

Hu asked artists, writers and playwrights to "review the spirit of the speech" and "serve the people and socialism," adding that all forms of art should enjoy free development.

Li Changchun, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, stressed at the symposium the importance to adhere to a "socialist cultural path with Chinese characteristics" and to build the country into a "cultural power" while talking about carrying forward the spirit of Mao's speech.

An evening gala was held in Beijing Wednesday in memory of Mao's speech. Li attended the gala.

Jin Minqing, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said Mao paid a great deal of attention to cultural power during the revolution, adding that this emphasis was carried forward by the CPC to the present day.

Last year, the sixth plenary session of the 17th CPC Central Committee adopted a decision on deepening the reform of China's cultural system and promoting the development of the cultural industry, which aimed at boosting the country's soft power.

"The mere expansion of the economy and the accumulation of wealth are not the ultimate goals for the country's development," said Professor Kang Xiaoguang of the Renmin University of China.

Analysts said China's cultural influence does not parallel the size of its economy, with its publishing, performing arts and other industries dealing with a "cultural deficit."

The analysts said cultural development should therefore be prioritized by the CPC.

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