Develop reading habits to foster virtues, ideals

President Xi Jinping called on Party members and officials to take the lead in reading and learning in order to foster virtues and ideals and improve their abilities.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remark in a congratulatory letter to the First National Conference on Reading, which opened in Beijing on April 23. The three-day conference included a series of seminars, exhibitions and book launch events.

Reading helps the Chinese people to carry on the traditional spirit of perseverance and shape their character of self-confidence and selfreliance, Xi said.

“I hope that all our children will have the habit of reading, enjoy reading and grow up in a healthy way,” he said in the letter.

April 23 marked the 27th World Book and Copyright Day.