The launching ceremony of the “Understanding China” book series and TV documentaries was held at Peking Hotel on December 16, 2018. Jiang Jianguo, Deputy Minister of Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CCPPD), Zheng Bijian, Chairman of China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy (CIIDS), Yohei Kono, President of the Japanese Association for the Promotion of International Trade, Nicolas Berggruen, founder of the 21st Century Council, as well as authors of the books, and production teams of the documentary series attended the ceremony.

Wu Shulin, Deputy Chairman of CIIDS, hosted the ceremony.

Deputy Minister Jiang Jianguo remarked at the ceremony that the “Understanding China” book series was compiled under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era and explains to the world the fundamental questions of “where China came from and where China is going.” With a deep and extensive understanding of the national conditions of China as well as the international situation, the organizers incorporate the global intellectual resources in the active and bold trailblazing endeavor, and their work, the “Understanding China” Series, is highly praised and widely commended by the leadership of the Party and the government as well as the international community. The book series is complemented by the TV documentary series, both of which are of great significance for the international community to understand China, for they, from multiple perspectives, interpret China, a country in the midst of profound historical changes and great rejuvenation.

President Yohei Kono, who is also a contributor to the book series, introduced that his work is mainly about Japanese scholars’ interpretation of China’s policies. As China celebrates the 40th anniversary of its reform and opening up, Mr. Kono expressed his willingness to contribute to the healthy development of Sino-Japanese relations as the two countries mark the 40th anniversary of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between China and Japan.

Mr. Berggruen from the 21st Century Council said that the “Understanding China” conferences, especially the book and documentary series, will help promote cultural exchanges between China and the world and help people to gain a more in-depth and nuanced understanding of a rapidly rising China. The books will be translated into English and published overseas, and will become an important channel for the West to learn about China.

Bai Chunli, president of Chinese Academy of Science and party secretary, emphasized the importance of the books on science in the series. Throughout history, the field of science has gone through a tumultuous path of prosperity and downfall. After the founding of China, especially during the four decades of reform and opening up, the country put great emphasis on the development of science and technology, which drove China’s technological innovation to new levels. The books summarized the key moments of China’s scientific and technological development, offering important resources for domestic and overseas readers to understand China’s science and technology.

Wang Meng, former Minister of the Cultural Ministry, provided a profound philosophical interpretation of Chinese culture from the perspectives of holisticity, integrity, morality, diesseitigkeit and positivity. He said that the book series is oriented towards the world, the future and the modernization, that it will help solve the problems of cultural anxiety and identity crisis in the process of development and would have a positive impact on improving cultural confidence and determination.

Huang Wei, director and chief producer of the “Understanding China” documentary series, said that being able to witness this historic moment with the forerunners, the scholars, the leaders and guests in the same room is a lot of pressure for the creation team, but it also signifies the beginning of the journey. Economic globalization has deeply influenced the Chinese society and people’s lives. China is connected to the world more closely than ever, and has achieved exponential development in the past four decades. Huang quoted the words of President Xi Jinping, who addressed to the world political leaders and scholars at the second “Understanding China” Conference, that “Where did we come from? Where are we going? I am always reminding myself to maintain this historic perspective.” He expressed the hope that the documentary would help find out the answers through the exploration of the theme of the “Understanding China” TV documentary series.

Lu Cairong briefed on the book series. Themed around “Understanding China”, the books provide expertly interpretation on China issues that the international community and overseas readers are concerned about. The books also provide rich resources for the international community to learn about china. Mr. Lu hoped that the books would extend the vision and value of “Understanding China” Conference and serve as an effective new platform for the world to understand China.

In the concluding remark, Zheng Bijian, chairman of CIIDS, thanked the speakers for their recognition of the book series. Mr. Zheng said that the valuable assessments of the speakers made him feel the significance of the publication of the book series and the production of the TV documentaries. He also said that the cooperation proved to be powerful and effective. He expressed gratitude to the guests present, to the ministries and institutions and the leaders, editors and translation teams, and to everyone who supported the project. The “Understanding China” project also received support from international friends. The team will build on the success of the first batch of the book series and carry on the project and related activities. In the end, Mr. Zheng encouraged people to continue the efforts to spread the concept of Understanding China.

Some of the books already published as the first batch of the series include: Economic Globalization and China's Future by Zheng Bijian, Governing China in the New Era by Li Junru, The Chinese Way of Thinking by Wang Meng, China’s Creations and Progress in Science and Technology by Bai Chunli, China’s Road of Green Development by Xie Zhenhua, and China’s Agriculture, Rural Areas and Farmers by Chen Xiwen. The “Understanding China” documentary series is curated by CIIDS and produced by Beijing Science and Education Film Studio. The aim of the TV documentary series is to tell the China story to the world.

As Minister Jiang Jianguo said, “Today, the world has become a community of shared destiny and interest.” In order for the world to understand China, it is necessary to build a bridge of cultural communication. The book and documentary series is the product of about dozens of experts and scholars from China and overseas. It is the fruit of their wisdom and creativity and shows China’s rich and profound culture deposits. It tells the China story and helps the world understand China, and helps China to enter the world.