Chairman Zheng Bijian Attends and Addresses the Launching Ceremony of “Understanding China” Book Series and the TV Documentary

Dear friends,

I am deeply touched by the comments you made, and I feel flattered by the high praises you gave to the book series, CIIDS and myself. This is a team effort. It is the result of the painstaking efforts of all of us here. After hearing the remarks from all of you, I want to share the following thoughts.

First of all, your comments make me feel that it is a right thing that we did. We hit the nail on the head with the topic “Understanding China”. The authors have finished over 20 books in a little over a year and all of the books turned out wonderful. I have no doubt that the books would help the readers understand China, the Communist Party of China (CPC) and especially “wherefrom and whereto” of the socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new age. I am very pleased with the result. 

Secondly, this project shows that our cooperation proves to be powerful and effective. We accomplished this together. This is a great effort of cooperation in the theoretical field. I am especially moved because all of you are the great scholars in China studies. The fact that we can all come together to work on the project is incredible. This shows that we share the same vision and ideal, and we serve both the party and the country. This form of cooperation is also an innovation.

Thirdly, I would like to thank everyone who is present today and the ministries and organizations you represent. At the outset, the project won strong support of Comrades Qibao and Jianguo from the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CCPPD). After the 19th CPC National Congress, Comrade Kunming from CCPPD also rendered full support. Comrade Jianguo, in particular, hosted, coordinated and deployed the execution of the project. Our colleagues at the relevant bureaus at the CCPPD, both present and absent, all put in great efforts. We also cannot accomplish this without the topnotch editing and translating team at China International Publishing Group (CIPG) and Foreign Language Press (FLP).

Lastly, I would like to mention that many international friends also participated in this project. The Chinese edition of Mr. Yohei Kono’s book has been published. Mr. White has also submitted his manuscript. Our friends at the 21st Century Council are coordinating and editing more books from internationally renowned experts. We have had many helps along the way.

I would also like to add that the successful publication and promotion of the first batch is only the first step. We are going to publish the second and third batches. And to build on the books, we will launch political discussion programs and online videos on China, in order to further promote the concept of understanding China on the platforms of TV and new media.

In a word, promoting the understanding of China is a worthy effort. Let’s work together in this endeavour.

Thank you.