In today’s world, the cycle of knowledge renewal has shortened dramatically, with all manner of new knowledge, new developments, and new things emerging one after another. Research shows that before the 18th century, knowledge doubled roughly every 90 years; since the 1990s, it has accelerated to doubling every 3 to 5 years. In the past 50 years, humanity has created more knowledge than in the previous 3,000 years combined. As some have noted: in the agrarian age, a few years of schooling could last a lifetime; in the industrial age, more than a decade of schooling was needed to last a lifetime; in the knowledge-based economy, one must learn for a lifetime to keep pace with the times. If we do not strive to improve our knowledge and competence, consciously learn scientific and cultural knowledge, take the initiative to update our knowledge, optimize our knowledge structure, and broaden our horizons, we will struggle to enhance our capabilities—and thus cannot seize the initiative, gain advantages, or secure the future.(Remarks at the Celebration of the 80th Anniversary of the Founding of the Central Party School and the Opening Ceremony of the 2013 Spring Semester, March 1, 2013)

In short, studying history enables us to assess successes and failures, learn from gains and losses, understand rises and falls; studying poetry inspires our emotions, elevates our aspirations, and refines our character; studying ethics helps us understand integrity and shame, honor and disgrace, right and wrong. We must not only understand China’s history and culture but also open our eyes to the world, learn about the histories and cultures of other nations, discard the dross, absorb the essence, draw inspiration, and apply it to our endeavors.(Remarks at the Celebration of the 80th Anniversary of the Founding of the Central Party School and the Opening Ceremony of the 2013 Spring Semester, March 1, 2013)

On the afternoon of March 6, 2025, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, President of the People’s Republic of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, visited members of the China Democratic League, China Association for Promoting Democracy, and the education sector attending the Third Session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. He joined their joint group meeting to listen to their opinions and suggestions.(Xinhua News Agency photo by Xie Huance)

Learning requires a focused mind, perseverance, and thorough understanding. One must not be impetuous, satisfied with superficial knowledge, or content with a shallow grasp. Leading officials must place great importance on learning, studying with hunger and eagerness. Even squeezing out half an hour a day, reading just a few pages, persistence will yield accumulation—small steps add up to a thousand miles.(Remarks at the Celebration of the 80th Anniversary of the Founding of the Central Party School and the Opening Ceremony of the 2013 Spring Semester, March 1, 2013)

To forge an “indestructible body,” we must arm our minds with scientific theories and continuously nurture our spiritual homeland. For leading officials, especially senior ones, systematically mastering the basic tenets of Marxism is an essential skill. The renowned scholar Wang Guowei identified three levels of scholarly pursuit: first, “Last night the west wind withered the green trees; alone I climbed the high tower, gazing to the end of the endless road”; second, “My gown grows loose, yet I never regret; I pine away for her, consumed by longing”; third, “I searched for her a thousand times in the crowd; suddenly I turned, and there she stood, where the lantern light fades.” Leading officials should approach theoretical learning with these same three levels. First, pursue lofty aspirations like “gazing to the end of the endless road,” endure the solitude of “last night the west wind withered the green trees” and “alone I climbed the high tower,” and settle down to read diligently. Second, study with diligence, perseverance, and meticulous effort, sparing no true, arduous, or detailed labor—even if “my gown grows loose,” “I never regret,” and willingly “pine away.” Third, value independent thinking, integrate learning with practice, gain insights from study, and achieve results from application. In learning and practice, “search a thousand times in the crowd,” and finally “suddenly turn” to grasp the true meaning “where the lantern light fades.”(Remarks at the National Conference on Propaganda and Ideology, August 19, 2013)

Regarding hobbies, I personally enjoy reading, watching films, traveling, and walking. As you know, holding my position leaves almost no personal time. During this year’s Spring Festival, there was a popular Chinese song called Where Did All the Time Go?. For me, the question is: where has my personal time gone? Naturally, it has all been taken up by work. Now, what I can consistently do is read—reading has become a way of life for me. Reading invigorates the mind, inspires wisdom, and cultivates noble character.(Interview with journalist Brigilev of the All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company in Sochi, Russia, February 7, 2014)

We must guard against impetuousness, devote more time to quiet reading and reflection, take the initiative to update our knowledge, optimize our knowledge structure, and ensure our minds remain sharp and our wisdom inexhaustible at all times.(Remarks during an inspection tour in Shanghai, May 23–24, 2014)

Literature and art are deeply integrated into people’s lives.(Remarks at a symposium at China University of Political Science and Law, May 3, 2017)

Leading officials should, in conjunction with learning and understanding Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, read more and delve deeper into the works of Marxist classical writers and the classic texts of Sinicized Marxism. They should master the Marxist positions, viewpoints, and methods running through these works, internalize them in their hearts, truly cherish Marxism with devotion, firm belief, and profound conviction, and let ideals and beliefs become the beacon in their hearts and the soul that inspires their spirit.(Remarks at the Second Plenary Session of the 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, January 11, 2018)

Communists should regard reading Marxist classics and understanding Marxist principles as a life habit and a spiritual pursuit, using classics to nurture integrity, refine thinking, elevate one’s realm, and guide practice.(Remarks at the Ceremony Commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Karl Marx, May 4, 2018)

The most effective way to study theory is to read original works, learn the original texts, and comprehend the underlying principles—reading intensively, memorizing diligently, learning constantly, and gaining new insights. We must go deeper, be more practical, and touch the heart; integrate ourselves, our duties, and our work into the learning process, ensuring the unity of learning, thinking, and application, and of knowledge, conviction, and action.(Remarks at the Opening Ceremony of the 2019 Spring Semester Training Course for Young and Middle-aged Cadres at the Central Party School (National School of Administration), March 1, 2019)

We should encourage more reading, build a book-loving society, continuously elevate people’s ideological realm and strengthen their spiritual power. The spiritual world of the Chinese nation will thus become richer and more profound. Providing more excellent spiritual and cultural products for the people is an invaluable endeavor.(Remarks during an inspection tour in Gansu, August 21, 2019)

Libraries are an important symbol of a country’s cultural development level and a vital venue for nurturing the national spirit and fostering cultural confidence. It is hoped that the National Library will uphold the correct political orientation, promote fine traditional culture, innovate service models, advance nationwide reading, better meet the people’s spiritual and cultural needs, and make new contributions to building a great socialist cultural power.(Reply letter to senior experts of the National Library of China, September 8, 2019)

Learning from books is an important way to enrich knowledge and enhance capabilities. Comrade Mao Zedong said: “One can go without food for a day, without sleep for a day, but not without reading for a day.” Despite his heavy workload, he always found time to read—even during haircuts, he would read, humorously telling the barber: “You do your work, I’ll do mine; we won’t disturb each other.” We must carry forward this spirit of “making time” and “delving deep,” read more and read good books, draw wisdom and nourishment from books. We must never be complacent and dismiss learning, never use busyness as an excuse to neglect learning, nor study merely for show. Effective learning involves knowing what to learn and how to learn. With limited energy, one cannot learn everything. Cadres should learn based on work needs—learning what is necessary for their duties, filling gaps in their knowledge. They should study Marxist theory, especially the Party’s innovative theories for the new era; learn the history of the Party, the People’s Republic of China, reform and opening up, and socialism; acquire basic knowledge in economics, politics, law, culture, society, management, ecology, and international affairs; and master new knowledge and skills relevant to their work, continuously improving the knowledge system essential for fulfilling their duties.(Remarks at the Opening Ceremony of the 2021 Autumn Semester Training Course for Young and Middle-aged Cadres at the Central Party School (National School of Administration), September 1, 2021)

Reading is a vital way for humanity to acquire knowledge, expand wisdom, and cultivate virtue. It inspires thought, fosters lofty ideals, and nurtures noble character. The Chinese nation has long advocated reading, emphasizing the pursuit of knowledge through observing things and the cultivation of sincerity and integrity. Reading sustains the nation’s enduring spirit and shapes the Chinese people’s character of self-confidence and self-improvement. It is hoped that Party members and cadres will take the lead in reading and learning, cultivating self-cultivation and aspirations, and enhancing capabilities; that children will develop reading habits, enjoy reading, and grow up healthily; and that the whole society will participate in reading, fostering a strong atmosphere of loving, reading, and valuing good books.(Message of congratulations to the First National Reading Conference, April 23, 2022)