Du Zhanyuan, president of CICG, speaks at a seminar on governance in Abuja, Nigeria, on 12 August (COURTESY)

In August, the Swahili version of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China Volume I was launched in Nairobi, Kenya. This is the first time that the book is published in an African country in the local language. Xi Jinping: The Governance of China is the key for the international community to learn about contemporary China. Undoubtedly, the launch of the Swahili version of the important book will enable more African people to know more about China’s development philosophy. 

So far, four volumes of the book series have been published in many languages worldwide. They reflect the president’s broad vision and in-depth thoughts on the future development of China, and that of the whole world, contributing Chinese wisdom to the world’s development. 

The rapid development of China is attributed to a century of efforts by the Communist Party of China (CPC), which symbolises China’s remarkable journey from the ashes of colonial oppression to becoming a global powerhouse. President Xi, in his commemorative speeches, reflects on the CPC’s founding and its transformative role. This reflection culminates in the fourth volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, a compilation of his speeches and writings. These documents illuminate China’s rapid development.  

According to Du Zhanyuan, president of China International Communications Group (CICG), this book series embodies President Xi’s farsightedness as the leader of the world’s second-largest economy, highlighting the important contribution of Chinese-style modernisation to the world development. 

In March, President Xi put forward the Global Civilisation Initiative, pointing out that “as the future of all countries is closely connected, tolerance, coexistence, exchanges and mutual learning among different civilisations play an irreplaceable role in advancing humanity’s modernisation process and making the garden of world civilisations flourish.” This is another important initiative that should be used to guide global governance. 

A century of progress 

Xi Jinping: The Governance of China series, now in its fourth volume, represents a comprehensive account of President Xi’s leadership and his vision for China. As the leader of the CPC, which has a membership of more than 98 million, this latest volume, released in 2022 amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, President Xi pays tribute to the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC.  It serves as a testament to China’s perseverance and resilience in the face of an unjust and convoluted world order and outlines an innovative and fairer way forward for the people of China and their growing leadership role in the world. 

The first volume of this remarkable series was published shortly after President Xi assumed the presidency in March 2013. In it, he outlined his vision for China, which included embracing socialism with Chinese characteristics, achieving modest prosperity, and realising the Chinese Dream for the nation’s 1.3 billion citizens. 

Subsequently, in 2017, the second volume of the book series was published and highlighted the progress made in implementing President Xi’s vision. It introduced new development concepts that aligned with socialist democracy, trustworthy governance, rule of law, and the strict discipline of the CPC members. 

The third volume, released in 2020, placed a strong emphasis on poverty elimination. Through robust programmes and projects, China has eliminated absolute poverty throughout the nation, emphasising that people are the masters of their country’s destiny. The work also highlighted the importance of harmonising humanity and nature for sustainable and environmentally friendly development. 

Guests attending the launch ceremony for the Swahili version of Volume I of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China by Chinese President Xi Jinping show copies of the book in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, on 14 August (KENYA LITERATURE BUREAU)  

Reinforcing commitment to Africa 

President Xi’s state visit to South Africa in August reaffirmed China’s comprehensive strategic partnership with the nation which has entered a golden era of cooperation. Beyond strengthening diplomatic ties, the visit, his fourth to South Africa as Chinese president, and only his second visit abroad this year, is indicative of China’s proactive commitment to help Africa to accelerate the implementation of the Agenda 2063, a plan inspired by China’s long-term planning strategy. This commitment was prominently demonstrated during the Africa Outreach Meeting held in conjunction with the 15th BRICS Summit hosted in South Africa. 

The BRICS Seminar on Governance and Cultural Exchange Forum 2023, held on 19 August in Johannesburg, South Africa, prior to the main summit, was a joint effort by key organisations. This event, sponsored in partnership with CICG, Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, National School of Government of South Africa, and South African Human Sciences Research Council, was themed Implementing the Global Civilisation Initiative, Joining Hands on the March Towards Modernisation. It perfectly complemented the overarching theme of the BRICS Summit, which emphasised mutual growth, sustainable development, and inclusive multilateralism. 

While delivering a keynote speech at the seminar, Du further stressed the significance of Xi’s book inspiring developing countries’ governance and development, especially African countries.  

He stressed that advancing modernisation is the common mission that should be carried out by developing countries, as well as an important issue that should be solved in governance of these countries. “In doing so, we need not only focus on growing material wealth, but also continuously deepen exchanges and mutual learning of different civilisations,” he said. 

Role of print media 

Du, as head of a media group founded some 70 years ago, mentioned the beauty and diversity of languages in the Global South. He stressed the need to promote and preserve these languages to reinterpret history, moving away from the skewed narratives imposed by imperialists and colonialists. He highlighted the importance of print media. CICG publishes a variety of print media products, showcasing the enduring relevance of the tradition and art of printing in communication and expression. The printed volumes of President Xi’s book are great examples of the vital role print still has to play in a digital world. 

The fourth volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China addresses a multitude of pressing global issues. Throughout the discussion of leadership, philosophy, rule of law, and proposed initiatives for security, peace, stability, and ecological harmony, one principal theme consistently emerges - putting the people first. As China celebrates the CPC’s centenary, and plots the way forward for the next 100 years, President Xi’s leadership charts a course for a prosperous and interconnected world. The journey continues, as China shapes its future and plays a pivotal role in global governance, and cultural exchanges. 

The author is the Director of Diplomatic Society of South Africa