Xi’s collected speeches hit

Book can unify thoughts of Party and society: experts

A collection of President Xi Jinping's keynote speeches has seen over 10 million copies circulated within two months since it was published as part of the Party's efforts to align the thoughts of both officials and public amid China's deepening reform.

The book, published on June 23, details Xi's key speeches since he became general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee in late 2012.

The near 200 page compilation covers topics ranging from the leader's thoughts on China's socialism and its current deepening reform, his concept of the "Chinese dream," military restructuring and social policies, as well as diplomatic strategies.

It has been set as required reading for Party and government officials.

The CPC Central Committee's Publicity Department, who organized the book launch, has ordered Party organizations at all levels to organize study sessions on the book.

Party authorities in Beijing, and provinces like Zhejiang, Sichuan and Shaanxi have organized study groups and sessions on the book, while government departments such as China Banking Regulatory Commission, the National Audit Office and the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television have carried out similar practices.

The book had been circulated within Party schools at various levels before it was available in the Xinhua Book Store chain in June.

"We started distributing the book last November … and held meetings to discuss its promotion … I have read it many times too," Yan Shuhan, director of the scientific socialism department of the Party School of the CPC Central Committee, told the Global Times.

The collection comes at a time when China is deepening its reforms, which has attracted different interpretations on China's development.

"The book provides insights on solving and managing China's current problems, as [Xi's speeches] have shown great understanding on the country's circumstances," said Yin Yungong, an expert on the socialist system at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Unlike other Party literature, Xi's book is aiming at a wider readership as the copies have been circulated to local communities, counties and townships in Tianjin, Liaoning, Jiangsu and Chongqing. Authorities in Yunnan Province and Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region are translating the book into languages of the ethnic minorities.

"The book also serves the function of unifying thoughts and ideologies among society and leading public opinion through Xi's philosophy," said Zhang Xixian, a Party building expert with the Party School of the CPC Central Committee.

"China has experienced a major transformation since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in 2012. With the arrival of a new era, we need new ideas to cope with the latest development," Zhang said.

He said the book can engage the mass public market since it is relatively short and cheap, unlike previous Party educational material.

Both Zhang and Yin agreed the wide distribution of the book helps consolidate the Party's power, since Xi has achieved national recognition.

The People's Daily in a commentary described the book as further efforts in aligning the thoughts and behaviors of Party and government officials, as well as the public, with Xi's thoughts displayed in his speeches.