Over the past 30 or more years, China has reported fast growth amid great changes that are unprecedented in human history. It will probably grow to be the world's largest economy in ten years or even less. The publication of the book Xi Jinping: The Governance of China provides readers with valuable, first-hand data to learn more about the Chinese leader and the future of China.

Learn more about Xi Jinping

This work reveals to readers some of Xi's special attributes as a state leader: He is a man of a broad vision and great determination. He has a pioneering spirit and profound knowledge. He holds distinctive views on politics, economy, society, military affairs, and diplomacy, and also on culture and life.

Xi has rich experience in governing the country. He has ascended from the grassroots rung of village Party chief on the Chinese organizational ladder to the very top. His political career encompasses political, economic, social, military, and other spheres. He has been leader of two coastal provinces of Fujian and Zhejiang and of Shanghai Municipality, each of which has populations as large as that of three or four European countries combined, and made remarkable achievements.

This book reveals to readers Xi's brilliant analytical capacity. His thinking is penetrating, dialectical, and well organized, and scintillates with insight and foresight. He is cognizant of China's strengths and also the challenges it faces. He firmly believes that socialism with Chinese characteristics is the sole path to making China powerful and prosperous, because it originates in "the continuous quest throughout the 60-plus years of the People's Republic of China, a thorough review of the evolution of the Chinese nation in its 170-plus years of modern history, and carrying forward the 5,000 or more years of Chinese civilization."

Predictions for China

Over the past three decades, there have been various predictions, optimistic and pessimistic, about China. It is interesting that the pessimists have all proved wrong, and the optimists have almost always been correct. Why? Because the pessimists have misjudged the general trend of China's development.

What is the general trend of China's development? Readers will find the answer in Xi's book. It is: to proceed from the entire, long-term interests of the Chinese people, continue reforms to a deeper level, realize the Chinese Dream of "making China prosperous and strong, rejuvenating the nation, and bringing happiness to the Chinese people," to modernize China's "national governance system and capability," and to ensure the complete success of "socialism with Chinese characteristics." One important feature of Xi's governance is that he knows what his people think and want, and focuses on key points to benefit the whole situation and boost comprehensive progress in China.

This book shows readers the broad blueprint, drawn under Xi's supervision, of reforms. It includes more than 330 reform measures in 15 areas, such as economy, politics, culture, society, ecological progress, and Party building. This not only helps readers understand what reforms are going on in China, but also how the CPC makes decisions.

In the book one will find many of Xi's governance views on the relations among reform, development and stability, among reforms of political, economic and social structures, between the central government and localities, and between domestic affairs and diplomatic relations. This will help readers understand the general trend of China's development path and its concepts.

Xi's views on China and the world

Xi is a person who views the world from the standpoint of China, and China from a world standpoint. Having visited almost 100 countries, he has gained a broad international vision that has given him a precise understanding of his country's global orientation. He holds that China should make greater contributions to the world, and that all countries in the world should form a "community of shared destiny."

This book acquaints readers with Xi's major views on the relations between China and the rest of the world. For instance, he has raised a number of ideas on foreign policy based on traditional Chinese culture. One is his advocacy of neighbourhood diplomacy characterised by friendship, sincerity, reciprocity, and inclusiveness. Another is his insistence that China takes a correct and more balanced approach to obligation and interests in its foreign relations. He has also made such win-win proposals as building "a new model of major-country relationship," the "Silk Road Economic Belt," and the "21st-century Maritime Silk Road."

Xi has proposed opening up "a new model of major-country relationship" between China and the United States, in which the two should "keep the big picture in mind while dealing with daily tasks and making constant progress." He highly values China-EU relations, and advocates building a bridge of peace and stability, a bridge of growth and prosperity, a bridge of reform and progress, and a bridge of common cultural prosperity to link the two sides.

He holds that "all countries should joins hands in building a new model of international relations featuring cooperation and mutual benefit," and that "all countries, irrespective of size, strength or wealth, are equal."

In short, this book gives a comprehensive and accurate introduction to Xi Jinping's outlook on philosophy, governance, reform, history, and the world, and to his main thoughts on and style of governance. His ideas display historical profundity and international vision that make this book very appealing. It is indeed a worth reading for all who are interested in China.