( CNN ) Mao Zedong 's `` Little Red Book , '' a selection of the chairman 's quotations , was required reading during China 's Cultural Revolution in the 1960s and 70s . China has now updated the practice for the digital age -- launching a smartphone app starring its current leader , President Xi Jinping , and featuring his latest speeches , statements and publications . Designed by the Central Party School , which trains Chinese Communist Party leaders , the app aims to `` arouse enthusiasm '' for socialist ideologies . `` With the help of Internet technology , we hope that the theories of socialism with Chinese characteristics will be presented in a way that appeals to web users , '' Chen Jiancai , the managing editor of the school 's official web site , said , according to Xinhua , China 's state news agency . The app features the latest news about Xi and allows users to access the traditional texts that Xi quotes from . It even has an interactive map that allows you to pinpoint exactly where he made the speeches . It 's unclear how many people have downloaded the app , which is available on Apple 's App Store . Willy Lam , a China politics scholar at the Chinese University of Hong Kong told CNN the app forms part of Xi 's efforts to cultivate a very different image to his predecessors . Xi is keen to be portrayed as a strong leader and as a man of the people -- he 's been photographed eating dumplings and has appeared in three animated cartoons . His down-to-earth behavior has drawn a huge number of fans , who address him as `` Xi Dada '' -- Big Uncle Xi -- but it 's also aroused concern among some China analysts , who believe that Xi is using the state propaganda apparatus to build a cult of personality . `` This is the 21st century 's Little Red Book , '' Lam says . `` He wants to be the supreme authority and build his prestige . The personality cult campaign will only grow . '' The app drew mixed reviews online and on social media . One headline on a technology news site read `` How can you call yourself Chinese if you do n't download it ? '' Some said the app , called Xuexi Zhongguo , which translates to `` study China , '' would be a handy study tool . `` Xuexi Zhongguo is an extremely useful app ... for civil servants selection tests , '' says one Weibo user @ afeixiaoxiaozhuai . But others said they would boycott it . `` If they introduce an Android version , I 'll get an iPhone . And if it 's in Apple Store , I 'll say I can only afford an Android phone . If they are available on both systems , I 'll get a Nokia -- sorry , I ca n't afford a smartphone , '' said @ Mujia .
Mao sayings now available in a new smartphone app . Scholars call it a new version of Xi Jinping 's 's `` Little Red Book ''