The English and German editions of Chinese President Xi Jinping's book Zhejiang, China: A New Vision for Development were launched in Frankfurt, Germany, on October 15. More than 200 people attended the launch ceremony.

The book contains 232 essays written originally for the Zhejiang Daily by Xi between 2003 and 2007, when he served as secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Zhejiang Provincial Committee. The essays focus on Xi's theoretical exploration of socialism with Chinese characteristics and innovative efforts in improving the governance system and capacity at the provincial level.

Du Zhanyuan, President of China International Publishing Group (CIPG), said at the ceremony that the book, along with Xi Jinping: The Governance of China and Up and Out of Poverty, both by Xi, can help readers get a clearer understanding of how the CPC is leading the country on the road to prosperity and discover the underlying reasons behind the miracles of China's development.

Wu Ken, Chinese Ambassador to Germany, stressed at the event that the book highlights Xi's in-depth thinking and practices on local governance, reform and development.

The launch of the English and German editions can help more foreign readers understand the governance strategy and political wisdom of the Chinese leadership, Wu said.

Martin Albrow, a noted British sinologist, said the book shares the same profound worldview as Xi's governance book. "President Xi's book provides a unique window on the processes that underpin China's renewal," he said, adding that it is a must for all those who want to understand what it takes for a country to survive and prosper in a world of unprecedented change.

The Chinese version of Zhejiang, China: A New Vision for Development was first published in August 2007 and reprinted in November 2013. It has been translated and published in English, French, Spanish, German and Japanese by Foreign Languages Press, an affiliate of CIPG.

Copyedited by Rebeca Toledo

Comments to yuanyuan@bjreview.com