The Selected Works of Jiang Zemin, former Chinese President and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), will be distributed to the country's bookstores on Thursday.

"It offers a powerful weapon of ideology for China's construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics and increases the spiritual strength of Chinese people to build a well-off society in an all-round way," an editorial of People's Daily, the mouthpiece of the CPC, hails the publication.

The three volumes comprise 203 of Jiang's reports, speeches, articles, letters, inscriptions and decrees from August 1980 to September 2004, sources with the Party Literature Editing Committee of the CPC Central Committee said Wednesday.

Many of the articles in the selection are for the first time made public, according to an editor of the book, who did not give his name.

Jiang, born on Aug. 17, 1926, was also former Chairman of the Central Military Commission.

The books, compiled by the Party Literature Editing Committee and published by the People's Publishing House, systematically elaborate on the important thoughts of the Three Represents, said the editor.

As the core of the CPC third-generation leadership, Jiang initiated the thoughts that the CPC must always represent the development requirements of China's advanced social productive forces, the progressive course of China's advanced culture, and the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the Chinese people, known as the "Three Represents".

The publication of the book, an important political event of the party and state, will further encourage the people to study the Three Represents, according to the editor.

The decision to compile the books was made by the CPC Central Committee in November of 2003.

The first volume comprises 81 articles, starting with Jiang's explanation of the establishment of special economic zones in Guangdong and Fujian provinces at the 15th Session of the fifth National People's Congress in August 1980.

It ends with Jiang's instruction on the development of China's vast northwest region in August 1997.

The second volume comprises 59 articles during the period from Sept. 12, 1997 to Feb. 1, 2000. Jiang's report at the 15th CPC National Congress on promoting the socialist course with Chinese characteristics is included in this volume.

The third volume, including 63 articles, starts with Jiang's speech on Three Represents during his inspection in south China's Guangdong Province on Feb. 25, 2000.

The volume ends with Jiang's speech at an enlarged meeting of the Central Military Commission on Sept. 20, 2004, after Jiang resigned the post as chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission.

The books, with plentiful contents, show the development of Marxism in China and Jiang Zemin's theoretical contribution in the fields of economy, politics, culture and society, as well as foreign affairs, national defense and administration of CPC, the state and army.

The selected works also include Jiang's exposition on CPC's theories, policies and experiences at new times, his reports at the 14th, 15th and 16th national congresses of CPC, and the speech at the congress marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the CPC.

Many of the works relate to China's socialist market economic system, agriculture, reform of state-owned enterprises, scientific innovation, development of west China, sustainable development and realization of common wealth.

Jiang discussed issues in the articles about socialist democracy, the reform of political system, rule of law, the system of people's congress, human rights, ethnic groups, religion, youth and women.

Some articles focus on promoting good social ethics, rejuvenating China through science and technology, improving public health and sports, employment, social security, poverty relief, family planning and public security.

Jiang elaborated in the works on modernization of the army, military policies at new times, military reform with Chinese characteristics, and national strategy.

The selected works also expound the principle of "one country, two systems", the affairs about Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and China's foreign affair policies.

The editing committee said the selected works show Jiang's great talent and bold vision, as well as his outstanding political leadership.

The publish of the works will inspire the CPC members and all Chinese people to closely unite around the CPC Central Committee with Hu Jintao as the General Secretary, said an editor.