Where did Xi Jinping's time go?

: 0 Comment(s)Print E-mail CRI, February 17, 2014

Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, met Friday, March 22, 2013 in Moscow. Russia is the first leg of Xi's four-nation visit that also includes South Africa, Tanzania and the Republic of Congo. [Photo/Xinhua]

"In China, there is a song called 'Where Did the Time Go?' For me, I have spent my whole time working," Chinese President Xi Jinping said in an interview with Rossiya TV on February 8, during his visit to Sochi, Russia.

Since becoming general secretary of the Communist Party of China in Nov. 2012, Xi Jinping has spent 39 days traveling around China to observe the state of the country. Likewise, Xi spent another 39 days on overseas visits, attended 12 classes on theoretical studies, along with 63 conferences and meetings, according to a report by the Beijing Youth Daily citing official reports.

His 12 inspection visits usually last between two to five days and include visits to local companies, residential communities, research centers and military troops.

Hu Angang, Director of the Center for China Studies at Tsinghua University, stated that the new leadership initiating on-the-ground inspections aims to further promote overall reform and wellbeing around the country.

Xi chose Russia as his first overseas visit destination when initially made Chinese president. Since March 2013, he has paid visits to 14 countries and attended almost all significant international meetings and activities, such as BRICS, G20, APEC and the opening ceremony of the Sochi Olympic Games.

Xi's schedule shows the country's diplomatic focus on major players on the global stage, neighboring nations and developing countries, said Wang Fan, director of the Institute of International Relations at China Foreign Affairs University.

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