China's state media on Monday published an account of a "typical" day in the life of President Xi Jinping, the latest burnishing of the leader's profile.

The Shanghai Observer article, titled "How Does Xi Jinping Spend a Day?", comes just days after the ruling Communist Party released several photos from early in Xi's political career in the eastern province of Fujian.

It also follows the publication of a new book of Xi's speeches, and the award of China's top photojournalism prize last week for a picture of Xi holding an umbrella.

The author of the widely-publicised article, an unnamed writer "specialising in international news", described Xi as someone who "works at a swift pace and is extremely energetic" and "is at the office morning and night".

"Of course, like every ordinary Chinese person, Xi Jinping is also bound to have humour and joy in the midst of his very busy work life," the author wrote.

The account was given prominent coverage by China's state-run media, including on the homepage of the official Xinhua news agency.

The piece described Xi's work day last Friday, when he telephoned new Indonesian president Joko Widodo and hosted Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete in Beijing.

After a welcoming ceremony at Beijing's Great Hall of the People, the author wrote, Xi and his party "walked to the conference room so quickly that those of us behind them had to trot to keep up".

During the meeting, Xi suggested using simultaneous rather than consecutive interpretation "in order to save time", the article said.

Xi's workload lasted well into the evening, "when many people are at home having dinner or watching TV with the whole family", it added.

The article is the latest example of Xi being promoted personally on the public stage -- and more so than most of his predecessors.

Last week, the Communist Party published online photos of a young Xi working on a farm and meeting locals during his time as party chief in the eastern city of Ningde from 1988-1990.

Days earlier, a picture of Xi holding an umbrella and standing with his pants rolled up to his ankles was awarded China's top journalism award.

Last month, authorities published in Chinese and eight foreign languages a book of 79 articles highlighting Xi's speeches, instructions and other remarks.

In July, a report by the University of Hong Kong's China Media Project showed that Xi's name has graced the pages of the Communist Party's flagship newspaper, the People's Daily, more frequently than any other leader since Mao Zedong, who founded the People's Republic of China in 1949.