President Xi Jinping's speech on the importance of arts and literature at a forum on Oct 15 is not the first time a Chinese leader has spoken on the subject.

Way back in 1942, addressing a group of artists and writers at the Yan'an Forum at the revolutionary base in Shaanxi province, Chairman Mao Zedong emphasized how socialist literature and arts could contribute to the cause of communism and liberation of the Chinese people. Mao defined the working class and farmers - not intellectuals - as the major patrons and connoisseurs of arts and literature. His encouraging speech gave rise to dozens of writers and artists, many of whom are still popular today.

Addressing a forum 72 years later, Xi again called writers and artists to "embody core socialist values in a lively and vivid way", to "uphold the Chinese spirit" and rally Chinese people's strength. Xi said today's artists and writers too should fulfill their responsibilities toward the country and the people.