Core Values of Society

Socialism’s Core System of Values at the Community Level

I pass these propaganda posters occasionally. The values they promote and the illustrations accompanying them appear to be quite admirable, and I was interested in translating them to find out the definitions written on them. The task proved to be challenging, and I know my translation isn’t perfect, but it did lend me greater insight into the meaning assigned to these terms here. Perhaps some of you will also be interested to read what they have to say (or at least my poorly translated version of it): 

Friendliness

Pictures people visiting an older person in the hospital.

"Friendliness is one kind of moral behavior that characterizes people living in harmony. It is people respecting, caring for and helping each other, working hard to shape socialism’s new pattern of interpersonal relationships." 

 Culture

Pictures a young person helping an older person to cross the street.

"Culture is an important sign of a society’s progress and an important characteristic of the nation’s modern socialism. Culture is a necessary condition for construction of a modern national socialism, it is turning in the direction of modernization, turning in the direction of the world, turning in the direction of the future, of nationality, of scientific knowledge, it is the summary of the socialistic masses, it is the important pillar for the current Republic of China’s great revival."

 Harmony 

Pictures a family taking care of an elderly man.

"Harmony is the foundational principle of the Chinese nation’s traditional culture, to centralize and reflect learning and teaching, working and obtaining, illnesses and treatments, aging and giving birth, dwelling and the aspects of ecological living (?). It is the high cost of constructing modern socialism in the nation’s society; it is the economic stabilizer; it is the important pledge to continue healthy development."

 Dedication to One’s Work 

Shows two men in a field examining the crops.

"Dedication to one’s work is the standard appraisal of value for  the behavior of working citizens. It demands that citizens possess a positive attitude towards labor and the vigorous hard struggle, that they be devoted to their duties and continue improving, serving society, and fully embodying socialist vigor in their professions. " 

 Prosperous & Strong Nation

Pictures people celebrating a festival together.

"Prosperous and strong nation means that both the people and the nation enjoy prosperity. It is a building block of modern socialism and….. a glorious long cherished wish. It is also a thriving a prosperous nation, and the material base of happy and healthy people."

Liberty

Pictures a mother, father and child flying a kite and holding balloons.

"Liberty refers to the people’s determination to be free to exist and develop. It is human society’s beautiful yearning. It is also the goal for which a Marxist society seeks."

 Equality

Pictures a farmer and a business man shaking hands.

"Equality means that citizens are equal under the law, and that continuously bringing about material equality has great value. It demands respecting and safeguarding human rights.  Everyone, according to the law, enjoys equal participation, equal development of rights."

 Honesty 

Pictures a shop owner weighing produce in a scale.

"Honesty means keeping one’s word. It is a moral tradition passed down through many years of human society. It is also the substance of which socialistic morals are built; it is the path of humanity, the foundation of establishing oneself in society. It stresses that good behavior demands honest hard work, abiding by promises, and treating others with earnestness." 

 Justice 

Pictures a politician bringing together the peasant and the towns person.

"Justice means that society will be fair and impartial, and is because of /owing to(?) people’s liberation. Justice is the prerequisite of fair human rights. It is the foundational principle of both the nation and society. It demands that political and legal systems are fair.  No one social class or group should enjoy special privileges."

 Patriotism

Pictures a soldier saluting the citizens who in turn are giving him a thumb's up.

"Patriotism is an elementary moral requirement of citizens. It is the Chinese nation’s outstanding tradition and is the standard of behavior that regulates homeland relationships. It is inseperable from socialism. It demands that people are renewing their commitment to do their duty to promote national unity, safeguard the cause of national reunification,  and be aware of showing service to their country."