Reading on the way up
By Han Bingbin (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-06-16 16:00
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Another bestselling book
Road to Clean Future by Xiong Yan discusses how all of society should prepare for low-carbon living.
The books with contemporary and modern subjects are in sharp contrast to many required readings for Party members at the school that include classics by Karl Marx and Mao Zedong, said a student under a one-year training program at the school. He declined to be named.
Gan Chunsong, secretary-general of the Confucius Academy, a nongovernmental organization that promotes Confucianism, said it is necessary for government officials to read about current trends and philosophy despite their busy schedules at work. Through reading, he said, senior officials at local government levels will be better at developing ideas and expressing their thoughts, which will help in lines of communications with the central government.
"Reading can improve their writing style - known as 'fake, big, and empty' - and even further their way of thinking," Gan said.
Gan noted that some officials are interested in books that explain Western ideology.
In The Details of Democracy, Gan said the book will help some officials further understand democracy in the West. He cautioned readers, however, not to linger on big ideological topics and instead concentrate on practical and applicable examples in the book.
Zhang Yiwu, professor at Peking University, said officials are interested in what society cares about. "They closely watch the global changes and existing challenges in development in China. They have a strong sense of responsibility."
Officials should develop a better understanding of science and emotions through reading to make more people-oriented policies, said Xia Xueluan, a sociology professor with Peking University.
"That will help them earn more popularity among Chinese people," said Xia. "Extensive reading can also offer them a global vision."