La Traviata produced by the NCPA.

In 2022, China unveiled its cultural development plan for the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–2025) to promote socialist culture and build China into a country with a strong grounding in this regard. As indicated in the plan, art troupes are encouraged to create excellent works by upholding the people-centered principle. The works they create should be worthy of the times, the people and the nation, and the creation of outstanding works should be their central task.

In recent years, China's literary and artistic undertakings have been flourishing, with the industry market continuously developing and expanding. National cultural and artistic institutions have played a prominent role in producing a series of highly acclaimed works. They have actively participated in the overall development of the industry by adhering to the original intention that "art must be for the people."

During this year's two sessions, the annual gatherings of the National People's Congress and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), in early March, China News Release interviewed several members of the 14th CPPCC National Committee from the literary and art circles, including Wang Ning, president of the National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Tian Qinxin, president of the National Theater of China (NTC), and Wang Yong, president of the China National Peking Opera Company (CNPOC).

Looking back on 2024, all meticulously crafted artistic works, including the graceful and bold drama Dawn on the Su Causeway in Spring, the shocking and touching classic opera La Traviata, and the charming traditional play The Legend of the White Serpent, showcase the fruitful results of the efforts of these national cultural and artistic institutions.

Wang Ning, president of NCPA: Insisting on serving public with art

More than 1,200 people-benefiting performances and more than 10,000 public welfare art activities have benefited over 2 million audience. This is the result of the NCPA for its cultural activities held to benefit the people in 2024.

"Adhering to the principle of creating works for the people, we serve the public with art," indicated Wang Ning. Among the 112 plays or operas produced by the NCPA, there are not only the classic opera La Traviata but also the original drama Lin Zexu focusing on the theme of the times. "Art should not be put on the shelf; every ordinary person should be able to touch the warmth of culture," said Wang Ning, adding that in the future, the NCPA will launch more immersive and interactive people-benefiting activities, allowing art to truly "enter the homes of ordinary people."

The year 2024 is a milestone year for the development of the NCPA. It has innovatively formed a diverse development pattern of "one center with three locations," including the headquarters of the NCPA at No. 2 West Chang'an Avenue, for focusing on comprehensive arts; the Beijing Performing Arts Center in Tongzhou District, for delving into modern expressions; and the Taihu Stage Art Center in Tongzhou District, for enhancing professional support. This integrated model of "art + technology" and "art + cultural exhibition" not only expands the functions of the center, but also invigorates the new momentum for cultural consumption.

At this year's two sessions, Wang Ning showed concern for "establishing a standard mechanism for civilized theater etiquette" and "promoting social participation in public cultural services." The former addresses the cultivation of performance-viewing etiquette, while the latter aims to stimulate the enthusiasm of social capital in participating in public cultural services. "Cultural innovation requires the joint participation of the whole society; we need both cultural transmission and cultural creation to keep the tree of culture evergreen," said Wang Ning.

Looking ahead, Wang Ning emphasized the importance of aesthetic education for young people, stating that the NCPA will sow the seeds of cultural awareness in the hearts of the younger generation by cultivating civilized conduct among youth and formulating standards and norms. "When children learn to feel the elegance in The Swan Lake, and appreciate the charm of Oriental aesthetics in The Peony Pavilion, a solid foundation has been laid for our cultural confidence."