On the afternoon of October 17, General Secretary Xi Jinping visited the Six-Foot Alley in Tongcheng City, Anqing, Anhui Province. His goal was to gain insights into local efforts to preserve and promote outstanding Chinese traditional culture and enhance spiritual civilization.
The narrow alley, stretching just a hundred meters, tells stories of civility and respect, embodying the wise Chinese principle of valuing harmony.
This ancient street connects the past and the present, nurturing a civilization that influences future generations. The local community has launched over a thousand brief educational sessions centered around the stories of Six-Foot Alley, instilling the virtues of harmony and courteousness deeply into the hearts of residents.
During his visit, Xi emphasized the significance of robust grassroots governance, stating, “When the grassroots are strong, the nation is strong; when the grassroots are stable, the world is stable. Therefore, we must focus on modernizing grassroots governance as a foundational task.”
Currently, Tongcheng has established more than 300 “Six-Foot Alley Mediation Offices.” By the end of 2023, the city has seen a 25% decrease in conflicts and a year-on-year decline in both crime reports and incidents. The “Six-Foot Alley” concept has evolved from a mediation approach used by courts to a working method embraced across various aspects of social governance in Tongcheng.
In 2023, the “New Era Six-Foot Alley Working Method” was recognized as an exemplary model of the “Fengqiao Experience” at the national level, earning a spot in the Fengqiao Experience Exhibition Hall. Furthermore, the “Six-Foot Alley Mediation Method” was mentioned in the Supreme Court’s work report.
The traditions of Six-Foot Alley—rooted in trust, harmony, neighborly kindness, humility, and conflict resolution—serve as a vivid example of how excellent traditional Chinese culture can organically blend with modern societal developments.
This initiative highlights the richness of cultural heritage while addressing contemporary needs, showcasing a successful integration of the past with the present.
