Studying President Xi Jinping's new book on governance will deepen the understanding of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, said senior official Wang Huning on Friday.

Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks at a symposium on the second volume of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China," which was published and put up for sale earlier this month.

"Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is considered as the Chinese Marxism of the 21st century, which shows its originality and reflects the features of the times," said Wang. "According to the 19th CPC National Congress, it is an important strategic task to equip the whole Party with Xi's thought."

The first volume was published in September 2014 and received widespread attention and praise from readers at home and abroad.

The second volume, covering 17 topics, collects 99 of Xi's speeches, conversations, instructions and letters between Aug. 18, 2014 and Sept. 29, 2017.

Sales are likely to exceed those of the first book, which has sold about 6.6 million copies worldwide in 24 languages, according to the Foreign Languages Press, the book's publisher.

The new volume depicts the practice of the CPC Central Committee with Xi at the core in uniting and leading Chinese people to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics in a new era.

According to Wang, the new book reflects the development and achievements of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It also provides Chinese wisdom and solutions for developing a community with a shared future for mankind and in promoting peace and development.

Wang called for deep understanding of the historical background that has produced Xi's thought, the original contributions it has made to Marxism and the guidance it provides for the realization of the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation.

"Studying and publicizing the newly-published volume will further ingrain Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in people's hearts and enhance the international community's understanding of Xi's thought," Wang said.

"The main reason why foreigners should read these books is that they are the first time that a Chinese leader has sought to capture his whole philosophy and communicate it to the international audience in so many languages," said David Ferguson, the English editor of both books, with the Foreign Languages Press. "There is everything you need to know about where China is now, and where China is trying to go."

Huang Kunming, head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, also addressed the symposium, calling for leading cadres to take the lead in studying the new volume.