Xi Jinping (right, rear) with his father Xi Zhongxun (right, front), his wife (left, front) and his daughter (center, front).Photos: Xinhua " src="http://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/0/attachment/2011/089c3088-f6b6-4317-9bbe-b2ff7c4bc907.jpg"> 

A file photo shows Xi Jinping (right, rear) with his father Xi Zhongxun (right, front), his wife (left, front) and his daughter (center, front).Photos: Xinhua

The State-run Xinhua News Agency has published, for the first time, detailed profiles of members of the newly-elected Party leadership, featuring their past work experience and family lives.

Xinhua Monday published profiles of Zhang Dejiang and Yu Zhengsheng, members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, following the publishing of profiles of Xi Jinping, the new Party chief, and Li Keqiang, vice premier. It is expected to carry profiles of the remaining three members of the top leadership on Tuesday.

The move to publish top officials' profiles was hailed by Web users and experts, who said it indicates the determination of the new leadership to deepen political reform and enhance government transparency.

In a 14,000-word profile of Xi titled "Man of the people, statesman of vision," Xinhua revealed his family background, early life, work experience and 23 photos featuring him at different ages and on different occasions, including pictures from his earlier years and family gatherings.

The article also touched on Xi's hobbies, interests and his wife Peng Liyuan, an established Chinese singer, and on how the couple manages their married life with both being busy at work.

The articled said Xi drinks a bit during parties with friends. He likes swimming, mountaineering, and watching basketball, football and boxing matches. Sometimes he stays up late to watch televised sporting events.

It said that Xi and Peng fell in love at first sight in 1986 and got married the same year. In Peng's eyes, Xi is a good husband and a good father. The article also revealed the name of their daughter.

The article also revealed that after Xi became a leading official, his mother called a family meeting to ban the siblings from engaging in business where Xi worked.

The profiles of the three other leaders also depicted their personality and approaches to work through introductions of their past experience.

"The profiles, which picture top leaders in an approachable way, bring the public and officials closer than before, and it's easier for officials to impress the public and improve their image and social influence," said Wang Sixin, a professor of politics and law with the Communication University of China.

Profiling officials is a way to package and promote their image, and previously the introductions to officials, which used to be about their work achievements, made them mysterious and distant from the public and sometimes created misunderstandings, Wang said.

"It's also a sign of transparent politics, which is crucial to political reform," said Ding Yuanzhu, a professor with the Chinese Academy of Governance.

After the Political Bureau announced eight new guidelines earlier this month to boost the relationship between the public and officials, and improve the manner in which officials conduct their work, changes have been seen in the way top level officials have behaved, which will spread to the local government level, Ding said.

The profiles were reposted on Sina Weibo, China's twitter-like service, where Web users have expressed great interest via posts about the new leaders' pictures and their personal details.

The profiles also attracted international attention.

Just like many other countries such as the US, China's new leaders are showing their willingness to open themselves to public scrutiny through the publication of their personal details, said Ren Jianming, vice chair of Transparency International's China office.