The Chinese nationality is a great one, possessing a glorious tradition of patriotism. Patriotism is the banner that mobilizes and inspires the Chinese people to unite and struggle, a great force that moves the social history of the nation forward, and a common spiritual component of all of the country's nationalities. Now, the nation's people are vigorously developing the socialist market economy and striving to build a prosperous, strong, democratic, civilized, and modern socialist nation, while being guided by the theory of developing socialism with Chinese characteristics and the Party's basic line. Under new historical circumstances, there is great practical significance attached to carrying on and encouraging the patriotic tradition in order to inspire the national spirit, unite national forces, and encourage all of the country's nationalities to become self-reliant and engage in pioneering work while striving for the uplift of the Chinese nationality. Here, the functional characteristics of patriotic education are presented.