CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping addressed the National Conference on Propaganda and Ideological Work held in Beijing on August 21-22, 2018. Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC) and Central Committee (CC) Secretariat member Wang Huning presided over the conference. The official Party mouthpiece People's Daily published four commentator articles on Xi Jinping’s 'important' speech. 

The first article on August 27, stressed the importance of the “nine insistences (persistences)” that Xi mentioned in his speech. These include (i) insisting on the Party’s leadership over ideological work, the fundamental tasks of the “two consolidations (两个巩固),”; (ii) weaponizing the Party and educating the people with Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era; (iii) cultivating and implementing core socialist values; (iv) treating cultural confidence as the most foundational, extensive, and profound confidence; (v) expanding the dissemination, guidance, influence, and credibility of the news and public opinion; (vi) having a people-centered creative orientation; (vii) creating an upright cyberspace; (viii) telling a good China story; and (ix) disseminating well China’s voice. The article pointed out that using the “nine insistences” as fundamental guidance means grasping the essence of their spirit, recognizing their realistic significance, and putting effort into implementing them. Cadres were told it would "raise our understanding of propaganda and ideological work to a new height".   

The second article published on August 29 focused on the five tasks for propaganda and ideological work 'in the new situation' outlined by Xi Jinping in his speech. It called for “holding the banner, amassing popular sentiment, educating new people, promoting culture, and displaying an image.” It reinforced Xi Jinping’s warning that the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will “in no way be effortless” and warned that “The more [we] achieve success, the more [we] must be cautious as if walking on thin ice and have the hardship of thinking of danger in times of safety.”

The third article (August 30), emphasized that “ideological work concerns the Party’s future and fate, the country’s long-term peace and stability, and the nation’s cohesiveness.” It noted Xi Jinping’s description that “creating a socialist ideology with strong cohesive and guidance power” is a “strategic task”. It also said that “the task is still arduous” even though “the overall momentum of the field of our country’s ideology is growing better.” 

The fourth article was published by the People's Daily on August 31, and focused on the task of “educating new people.” It exhorted that “the key to fostering new people of the times is letting core socialist values play a guiding role.” It cautioned that “if ideals and convictions waver, world views, life outlooks, and value systems comprehensively degenerate” and stressed that it is therefore important to strengthen "education in ideals and convictions among all people, especially the youth.”