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Xuexi Qiangguo (Chinese: 学习强国; pinyin: Xuéxí qiángguó) is a Chinese mobile app primarily designed to teach Xi Jinping Thought.[3] It is designed by Alibaba Group.[4] As of October 2019, it has more than 100 million active users[5] and was the most downloaded item on Apple's domestic App Store, surpassing social media apps such as WeChat and TikTok (also known as Douyin in Mandarin),[6][7] before being overtaken by the National Anti-Fraud Center app, an anti-fraud educational app.[8]
Aside from offering ideological courses, it allows video chat with friends, sending messages that get deleted after being read, creating a personal calendar, getting informed through the state media or watching TV series about the history of the Chinese Communist Party.[11] The app also has a section about Xi Jinping's thoughts and life and weekly quizzes can be taken about Xi's life and the CCP where points can be won.[12] The usage of each of these sections can provide the user with "study points".[13] By April 2019 it had more than 100 million active users according to Chinese state media.[14]
Once the app is downloaded, it gains access to the ID card number, real name, "bio-data" gleaned from the annual health check, shopping history, phone number, location data and deleted content.[15]Cure53 and the Open Technology Fund reported that the app allows Chinese government access to all of the data on Android-based phones.[16]
The app is strongly promoted by the government institutions and party members get encouraged to download the app in order to "make the country strong".[12] The app is also getting included in some university programs. Schools urge its students to learn from the app, employers give out certificates for "star learners", and some even require their employees to post a daily screenshot with their score at the app.[12] People have complained about being pressured to use the app, with students and workers reporting anonymously that teachers and bosses publicly shame or threaten to punish those who have low scores or use the app infrequently.[17] By 2021, the app was being used for romance scams.[8]
Development
The app was developed by Alibaba Group and released by the CCP's Propaganda Department.[18]: 29 Wang Huning, a member of the CCP Politburo Standing Committee, and other leading cadre presided over its development.[18]: 29 It was launched in 2017 with a focus on party members, but has since been expanded for the general public.[18]: 163