BEIJING — Xi Jinping's new social propaganda app has become hugely popular on the App Store in China over the past few days, thanks to a little strong-arming by the Communist Party.<br /><br />According to the BBC, the app is called Xue Xi Qiang Guo, or Study the Great Nation, with Xue Xi also a pun meaning to study President Xi.<br /><br />The government wasted no time in launching the app on the first day of the lunar year, no doubt so Communist Party members, civil servants, state-owned company employees, and public school teachers can get their fill of propaganda. You know, since they've been required to.<br /><br />According to the New York Times, lucky users can catch up on the latest state media reports and brush up on 'Xi Jinping Thought.' They can also treat themselves to a quote of the day from Winnie the Pooh's doppelganger, weekly quizzes, and a television show called 'Xi Time.' How exciting.<br /><br />The Little Red App is also equipped with Snapchat-style messaging, video chat, and calendar functions — all the better for the government to keep an eye on its peoples with.<br /><br />Like with everything in China, doing each activity earns users points that can be redeemed for prizes later on.<br /><br />Though some backside-smooching institutions and employers are apparently requiring their employees to earn a certain number of points each day. Otherwise, dishonor on you, dishonor on your cow, dishonor on your whole family!<br /><br />Needless to say, the ratings on the app say it all — a measly 2.7 out of five.
