Ideological-political education as a key component of university management in China (based on the textbook series “Understanding Contemporary China”)

The development prospects of the state and society largely depend on the quality of training highly qualified specialists in the higher education system. One aspect of such training is the development of values and ideological-political education, which provides the moral foundation for future social development. To strengthen the “four aspects of self-confidence” (in one’s path, theory, system, and culture), the leadership of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government have implemented Xi Jinping’s ideas of socialism with Chinese characteristics in university education and training. In addition to strengthening educational work, a unique challenge for social sciences and humanities is the study and teaching of foreign languages. Knowledge of language and of other cultures facilitates international contacts; therefore, since the fall of 2022, Chinese universities have introduced foreign language BRVsses based on the textbook series “Understanding Contemporary China”. This series aims at developing such students’ communication skills that would help to “hear the voice of China” all around the world and would allow people in other countries to understand better social realities of today’s China. Given the unprecedented level of relations between China and Russia, teaching Russian with the new textbook series would promote mutual understanding between the peoples of two countries, although introduction of highly complex materials into the university curriculum would require significant efforts of all parties involved.