Book fair symposium focuses on Xi's book

Book by President Xi Jinping explores governance philosophy of a new leadership

A symposium on a book by Chinese President Xi Jinping that has been distributed worldwide was held at BookExpo America on Thursday in New York.

Xi Jinping: The Governance of China was compiled by the State Council Information Office, the CCCPC Party Literature Research Office and China International Publishing Group. It has been translated and published in Chinese, English, French, Russian, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, German and Japanese by the Foreign Languages Press.

The multilingual edition of the book was successfully launched in Frankfurt, Germany, on October 8, 2014, and also attracted considerable attention during APEC China 2014, the 26th annual gathering of leaders of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation held in Beijing.

Dr Robert Kuhn, China expert, international corporate strategist and political commentator, told the symposium that the book stresses improving people's lives, reform, rule of law, and building the CPC. These have been codified as Xi's "Four Comprehensives", he said.

"The unprecedented book presents Xi's political philosophy, symbolizes his rapid emergence as a strong leader, and communicates his way of thinking," Kuhn said. "China wants the world to understand President Xi's governance and that's good for China and good for the world."

"In recent years, China has made progress in many fields, so increasingly the world is focusing on the historic and profound changes taken place in China," said Cui Tiankai, Chinese ambassador to the United States at the symposium. "What has made China's achievements possible is the direction which the new generation of China's leaders has steered the big vessel of China."

The book elaborates on the governing philosophy and strategies of the new-generation of Chinese leaders, on China's development philosophy and path, on China's domestic and foreign policies, and on China's value orientation.

"This book offers a window for readers worldwide to observe and understand today's China," said Wu Shangzhi, vice-minister of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT). "It helps readers better understand not only the dreams and aspirations of the Chinese nation and the trend of China's reform and development, but also China's relationship with the outside world."

Former secretary of state Henry Kissinger said in his letter to the opening ceremony of the BookExpo America on Wednesday that it is significant that the book expo introduces President Xi book to an American audience.

"President Xi has outlined a reform program of unprecedented scope to transform Chinese society," the letter read.

"Domestically, President Xi proposes combating corruption, strengthening legal institutions, preserving the environment, and growing the Chinese economy to unprecedented levels.

"President Xi accompanies his vision of a revolutionary transformation of Chinese society with a conception of cooperation with the rest of the world," Kissinger said in the letter.

Since the CPC's 18th National Congress in 2012, China's diplomacy has displayed more confidence and openness, said Wu.

Xi has initiated a set of win-win strategies, including the "new model major-power relationship" and the "One Belt and One Road" initiative, demonstrating to the world that China can create opportunities for global development, and that it welcomes other countries to benefit from its own rapid development, he said.

"President Xi's elaboration on China's relationship with the world serves as the guiding principle behind China's foreign policies," said Wu. "This book interprets a range of concepts, including the new model major-power relationship and the 'One Belt and One Road' initiatives, plus other aspects such as the good-neighbor diplomatic principles of 'amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness', and 'a community of common destiny'."

Since being published in 2014, political celebrities and prestigious scholars have recommended the book and written reviews, said Wu.

"It has been a great success," added Wu. "Its total circulation has exceeded 4 million copies, with 400,000 distributed outside China. This is the highest overseas circulation for a work by a Chinese state leader since China adopted reform and opening up."

xiaolixin@chinadaily.com.cn