BEIJING, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping on Wednesday called on officials to read more books and take reading and study as "life attitude, responsibility and spiritual pursuit."

    Xi told officials attending an opening ceremony of a seminar of the Party School of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, "Books are carrying human knowledge and wisdom and are of vital importance to human advancement."

    As president of the Party School, Xi asked officials to read enlightening books so as to build the Party into an academic one.

    Xi, also member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, said officials could gain inspiration, expand their mental outlook and improve their cultural attainment through reading, which could also enrich their working experience.