“Universal values” are not human beings’ abstract value consensus but core values that represent concrete social institutions and national ethos. Therefore，the so-called “universal values” vary across different social forms. When summarizing the core values of socialism，priority should be given to the essential nature of socialism and the objective law of historical development rather than maximum inclusiveness. The core values of socialism build upon the primary principles of the supremacy of the people，the priority of labor，and common prosperity. Values like freedom，democracy，justice，and human rights have to be premised on those primary principles to differ from the capitalist core values and become part of the socialist value system.