The artistic talents of Chinese leaders

Chinese President Xi Jinping presides over a symposium that gathered some of the country's most renowned authors, actors, scriptwriters and dancers in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 15, 2014. [Photo/Xinhua]

A document on the development of socialist art and literature was approved at a meeting of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, which was presided over by the CPC Central Committee's General Secretary Xi Jinping, on Friday.

The meeting urges Party committees at all levels to integrate artistic affairs into their agenda under macro guidance and for the correct direction of socialist core values.

It also emphasizes improving the leadership in art groups, fostering a clean and honest environment for artistic circles and creating a sound environment for the development of art.

Among the current and retired top leaders in China, many are art enthusiasts with their own interests in different art fields.

Xi Jinping wears down his favourite cassette tape

Chinese president Xi Jinping is a music lover, though he seldom sings in public.

"Xi's voice is really good when singing", recalled Liang Yujing, a resident at Liangjiahe village, Yan'an of Northwest China's Shaanxi province, where Xi worked between 1969 and 1975.

As a fan of Teresa Teng, Xi reportedly played a cassette of Teng's album "Small Town Story" so much that it stopped working.

Aside from local music, Xi also has a soft spot for Russian songs. When talking about Russian folk songs such as "Katyusha", he told Russian President Vladimir Putin that, "These folk songs are enjoyed by both Chinese and Russians, because almost all Chinese can sing them".