Millions of Chinese officials directed to read Xi's new book

Millions of officials across China have been asked to study President Xi Jinping's new book on governance which contains his speeches, ideological thoughts and instructions, according to a notice issued by the ruling Communist party.

Xi, 64, who has emerged as the most powerful Chinese leader in the recent times, was conferred a second five-year term by the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) at its Congress last month.

He has also acquired the status of Mao Zedong and his successor Deng Xiaoping in the party as he is the only leader after them whose thoughts have been included in the party's Constitution.

For the second consecutive term, Xi heads the party, presidency and the military.

A notice released by the General Office of the CPC Central Committee said that all regions and departments across the country should study Xi's new book on governance.

The second volume of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" was published earlier this month.

The notice by the General Office of the CPC on forwarding the opinions of publicity and organisation departments of the CPC Central Committee regarding studying Xi's new book was released recently, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Over the three years since the publication of the first volume in September 2014, Xi has continued to put forward new concepts, thoughts and strategies, enriching CPC theories, the notice said.

It depicts the practice of the CPC Central Committee, with Xi at the core, in uniting and leading Chinese people to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics in a new era, it said.

It is a major political task of the whole party to study and carry out 'Xi Xinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era' at present and for the next period, the notice said.

It also asked party organisations at all levels to study the first and second volumes so as to understand and better implement the new thought.

Studying the book should also be included in training at party schools and party committees at all levels, executive leadership academies and academies of governance, the notice added.