Ten important speeches by President Xi (Mar, 2014-Mar, 2015)

(chinadaily.com.cn)

Updated: 2015-03-05

Chinese President Xi Jinping talks with primary school teachers attending a training program at Beijing Normal University in Beijing, Sept 9, 2014. [Photo/Xinhua]

Xi urged on Sept 9 last year, the eve of Teachers' Day in China, Party organs and governments to make teaching the most respected job in China.

The improvement of education and prosperity of the nation needs teachers with sound ethics, great teaching skills and high energy levels, he said.

He called on teachers to set the bar high and dedicate themselves to the cause of modernization. He urged governments at all levels to put education on the top of their agenda and continue education reform.

10. China passes reform plan to boost soccer competence

China's central reform group, chaired by Xi, on Feb 27 this year, passed a plan to revive soccer, a sport that has for years been a source of national embarrassment.

"We must develop and revitalize soccer to ensure we are a strong nation of sports," he said, according to a statement issued after a meeting of the central reform leading group.

"It is the desperate desire of the people as well."

China must overcome its "defective system", which has impeded the development of the game, and provide better "institutional guarantees" for its progress, the statement said.

More efforts should be made at grassroots level to nurture young talents and ensure the integration of professional clubs, school teams and amateur teams, added the statement.