Campaign to teach Chinese civil servants the 'ancient classics'

Millions of government officials and civil servants on the mainland will be asked to learn ancient Chinese classics - or "guoxue" - as part of a patriotic indoctrination course aimed at boosting their talents and morals.

To prepare for the nationwide education campaign, the Chinese Academy of Governance has published its first series of textbooks on ancient Chinese classics aimed at officials, the reported yesterday.

"All the current government cadres at various levels will be asked to undergo the training course on traditional Chinese culture, provided by the Chinese Academy of Governance and its affiliates at provincial level governments," it said.

The Chinese Academy of Governance, an affiliate to the State Council, is a state-of-the-art training centre for senior civil servants, executives at state-owned enterprises and officials in social institutions.

It also works as a think tank to the central government on policy related to the management of the civil service and the training of officials.

The textbooks cover topics including philosophy, self-cultivation of character, governance, personnel management, rule of law, education and social morality.

The books also contain materials similar to those prepared for the ideological education of students at primary and secondary schools.