Closed-book exam, electronic surveillance and a block on communications...this was the scene in the city of Loudi, in central China's Hunan province on May 19. More than 110 officials took the special exam on this day as part of the ongoing education campaign launched by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee earlier this year.

The exam included three parts: the constitution and regulations of the Communist Party of China (CPC), important speeches of Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, and the qualities essential for being a CPC member. All CPC members of the city will eventually have to sit for the exam. 

“We promote studying through the exam and improve our service through studying. This allows us to monitor our learning outcomes and improve our learning process in the future,” said Li Jianguo, Secretary of the CPC Loudi Committee, who also took part in the exam. 

The exam is a response to the party’s program for its members to “Learn the CPC Constitution and rules, learn the speeches by Xi, and be a qualified party member”, a notice issued by CPC Central Committee in February.

Senior leaders have urged party members and officials to apply what they learn to solve real problems and help boost the country's reform and development.

“We regard studying and implementing the Party constitution as a basic skill. We think it’s essential to always consider Party mottoes, constantly straighten the 'backbone' of ideals and beliefs, and really ensure that these ideas turn into concrete action,” said Xu Shousheng, Secretary of the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee, at a recent meeting. 

Hunan has more than 3.9 million Party members and over 170,000 grassroots Party organizations.