Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the
Launch of the Multi-language Editions of
'Xi Jinping: The Governance of China (Volume II)'
One Great George Street, London, 11 April 2018
Your Royal Highness,
Minister Jiang Jianguo,
Chairman Zheng Bijian,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends,
Good morning!
It is a real pleasure to join you at this special and important event: the launch of the multi-language editions of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China (Volume II)." On behalf of the Chinese Embassy, I would like to extend my warm welcome to everyone present today.
President Xi said, "This is a time that calls for theories and will surely produce theories; this is a time that calls for thoughts and will surely produce thoughts."
In response to the call of the times, last October's 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China proposed the Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It serves as a guide for China's future development and shares the Chinese wisdom with the world.
The book "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" embodies the essence of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Its publication is of great importance to both China and the world.
First, this book is a guide to understanding China and China's thoughts.
The first volume of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" was published in 2014. The second volume contains 99 articles and 29 photos of President Xi dated from August 2014 to the 19th Party Congress.
The book has 17 sections, each focusing on a major theoretical or practical issue. The articles include remarks outlining major policies, speeches telling China's story and highlights of discussions regarding implementation of policies. All of them reflect the deep thoughts and the vivid language of the author and far-reaching implications of his thoughts.
These two volumes form a comprehensive system of rich thoughts and theories. They reveal the evolvement and essence of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. For those who are hoping to gain a deep understanding of China's path, ideas and plans in the new era, these books are the most authoritative works to look to.
Second, this book carries the fine traditions of the Chinese civilization and will guide China's development in the new era.
The development path and governance system of a country is closely related to its historical heritage, cultural traditions and economic and social development level.
The second volume of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" carries on the humane spirit and cultural heritage of 5,000 years of Chinese civilization. This is particularly reflected in the author's understanding of the ancient Chinese wisdom on the governance of the country and the people.
In this book, President Xi also reflects on China's efforts in a century of revolution, development and reform in modern times.
?He captured the new features of China's economic development and the new changes in the principal contradiction facing the Chinese society.
?And he designs a grand blueprint for China's development in the new era.
With its root deep in the Chinese civilization and its insights into the trend of times, this book can well serve as a guide for the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people in the pursuit of the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.
Third, this book is a key to understanding China's wisdom and sharing it with the world.
After four extraordinary decades of reform and opening up, China has grown from the tenth largest economy in the world to the second largest economy. Nearly 800 million people have been lifted out of poverty.
Many people call this a miracle and are curious to know China's secret to success.
This "Chinese miracle" did not fall from the sky. It is the result of the relentless efforts of over 1.3 billion Chinese people led by the Communist Party of China.
"Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" tells the stories of the Chinese miracle, the Chinese stories, and the Chinese spirit.
The governance experience of the Communist Party of China, which is the focal point of this book, offers an alternative path for developing countries to achieve modernization. It enriches the governance thoughts of mankind. It embodies the Chinese wisdom and Chinese solution that are important contribution to world peace and development.
Fourth, this book is a call for action and a demonstration of the sincerity of a responsible leader.
The principle of "putting people first" runs through the whole book of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China." Here are a few lines from the book I wish to share with you:
?"Always place people above all else in our hearts."
?"The people's aspiration for a better life is our goal."
?"The biggest political power lies in winning people's hearts."
These plain words reflect a deep love for the people, and a firm determination and strong sense of responsibility to serve the people wholeheartedly.
More importantly, the book reflects the author's global vision in the articles and paragraphs about the future of the entire mankind. He regards the Chinese Dream as part of the larger picture of the World Dream. He points to the direction and gives answers to such major questions as where China should be going, where the world should be going, and what needs to be done.
This is the strategic and global vision of an outstanding leader and statesman for his country and for the world.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Historically, London has provided breeding grounds for thoughts and inspirations for civilizations and ideologies. It was the birth place of "The Communist Manifesto" 170 years ago. Not far from here, the British Museum witnessed the completion of the masterpiece of Karl Marx entitled "Capital, A Critique of Political Economy" over 150 years ago.
Today, London bears witness to the launch of another important work, the second volume of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China." This event is of far-reaching significance to the exchanges and mutual learning between thoughts, cultures and civilizations of the East and the West.
It is also a major event in China-UK relationship. This relationship has been leading the relations between China and other major Western countries, to which cultural and people-to-people exchanges have been an important contributing factor.
At the beginning of this year, Prime Minister May paid a successful visit to China. During the visit, the leaders of our two countries reaffirmed their commitment to the China-UK "Golden Era" and agreed to build a more strategic, practical, global and inclusive relationship.
I sincerely hope that China and the UK will seize the opportunity of today's event to enhance people-to-people exchanges and promote mutual learning between different civilizations. I hope we will work together to set our relationship as an exemplar of major-country relations that feature mutual respect, equality, mutual trust and win-win cooperation. And I hope we will support each other in realizing the Chinese Dream and British Dream respectively.
William Shakespeare once said,
"Books are the nutrient of the whole world. A life without books is like a life without sunlight; wisdom without books is like a wingless bird."
As we are faced with the greatest global changes in a century, the book "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" will bring the nutrient of knowledge, the sunlight of the times and the wings of wisdom to the world.
The book will help the international community gain a full and deeper understanding of China's past, present and future.
And it seeks to urge the international community to come together to build a community with a shared future for mankind and create a more beautiful future for human society.
In conclusion, I wish the launch of the multi-language editions of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China (Volume II)" a great success!
Thank you!