Book highlights Xi's time in village

For example, Zhang Weipang, a Liangjiahe farmer, said in the book that "no matter how bad the food was, Jinping would have a good appetite, and no matter how poor a person was, Jinping would never despise him". In another story, a villager recalled how Xi helped him find a lost pig－the most valuable asset of the poor family.

During his time in the poverty-stricken village, Xi led villagers to accomplish various things, such as building the first methane-generating pit in north Shaanxi to improve the peoples' livelihood. His down to earth spirit won the recognition of and compliments from the villagers.

"I found myself easily traveling several kilometers of mountain road while carrying a shoulder pole weighing more than 50 kilograms," Xi said in a previous interview with China Central Television.

Tao Haisu, who used to work with Xi as a zhiqing at Liangjiahe, said at the seminar that "the sweat that Xi shed with the people" has deep and great influence on the president's thoughts.

"If you understand Xi's experience at Liangjiahe, you will understand the measures he had taken after the 18th National Congress of the Party, and you will know why he deeply hates the corrupt officials who bully the people," he said.

Xuan Yong, Party secretary of Zhejiang International Studies University, said at the seminar that the book is enlightening for young people, and the university will arrange for students to read the book.

The university also will dispatch volunteers to Liangjiahe during next year's summer holiday to elaborate on the stories of Xi for those who visit the village, he said, adding that the president's spirit of keeping firm belief at difficult times should be learned by the nation's youth.

Liu Dawei, assistant minister of education, said that by looking back at the history in the book, readers will be much more confident about the future of the country.