Xi’s Book On Governance Wins Sweeping Global Impact
Abook on governance written by Chinese President Xi Jinping marked the 1000day anniversary of its debut over the weekend, setting a new record in China’s publication history in 40 years with over 6.25 million copies in 22 languages already in print worldwide.
Titled
the work has drawn worldwide readers to the mysteries of its popularity and left a profound impact on the world.
A selection of 79 chapters of speeches and notes made by Mr Xi from his election as general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee in 2012 to June 2014, the book is known for being a “window” to the Chinese leadership and a “key” to China’s development success. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen requested a digital version to read on cellphone; Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha recommended it to Cabinet members. Russian scholar Yuri Tavrovsky introduced Mr Xi’s innovative reform measures to Russian readers in a recent book, and chief executive officer Mark Zuckerberg not only has one for himself, but has bought more for his colleagues so that they would “understand Socialism with Chinese Characteristics.”
Though nearly three years have passed since the first launch of the book, the demands for local language versions are still growing. A dozen of the existing 22 language editions were released at the request of foreign countries, and by the end of 2018 another 13 language versions are expected to add to the series, said Xu Bu, president of Foreign Languages Press, the book’s publisher. Speaking of the charm of Mr Xi’s book, Seubpong Changboonchu, a teacher at Thailand’s Chulalongkorn University and one of the translators of the Thai version, said the Chinese president reminded him of famous Japanese football cartoon “Captain Tsubasa.” “The main character was a resilient person who worked really hard to make his dreams come true,” he said, referring to Mr Xi’s elaboration on the Chinese dream of great national rejuvenation.
Instead of painting an illusionary picture, Mr
Xi drove home his belief that “hard work makes dreams come true.”
He went to great lengths to address “allround and deeper-level reform,” listing over
330 major measures in 15 fields, including fighting corruption and improving the judicial system.
“Xi’s thoughts are focused on the fundamental problems occurring during China’s transition from a big country to a strong country, and his governance practice is aimed at accomplishing the historic tasks that come with this period,” said Han Qingxiang, a professor of the Party School of the CPC Central Committee. In the past five years, thanks to its strong determination and effective execution, China has lifted over 60 million people out of poverty, created 64 million new jobs in urban areas, universalised nine-year tuition-free compulsory education, and established the world’s biggest healthcare and social security system. Earlier this month, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development expressed confidence in separate reports in China’s economic outlook, which was also a vote of confidence in China’s economic reform. Impressed by the success of the Chinese path, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, in his foreword for the Uzbek edition, said Mr Xi’s book offers important inspiration and guidance on governing a country, developing a market economy that fits national features, and protecting public interests.
In about two years, Pakistan issued both the English and the Urdu versions of the book. Chairman Mushahid Hussain of Pakistan’s Senate Defence Committee, who attended both publishing ceremonies, told
that he had learned a lot from Mr Xi’s experience of communicating with the people when he worked as party chief in an eastern Chinese province.
Mr Xi’s confident governance style has inspired many more developing countries to seek a development path that suits their national conditions, observed Han, the Party School professor. With the West haunted by terrorism, refugee waves, financial crises and political deadlocks, more and more countries are joining China’s initiatives such as the Belt and Road and the building of a community of shared future for mankind.
French author Sonia Bressler first read the book two years ago and was fascinated by Mr Xi’s thoughts on “peaceful development.” Having recently reread the work, she commented that China’s aim for “mutually beneficial co-operation” is just as relevant to today’s world as ever.
Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and British sociologist Martin Albrow, two renowned strategic thinkers, both saw new conceptions from Mr Xi’s book that could help improve the current world order.
“At a time when some countries wrestle over global governance reform, China sticks to a more open and inclusive path forward, which answers the call of history and accords with international public opinion,” said Qin Yaqing, president of China Foreign Affairs University.
“It is an important reason both behind the growing global support for Chinese initiatives and behind the lasting global attention on Mr Xi’s book,” he added.