Book Discussion Session for Sinhalese Version of First Volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China Held in Colombo

A book discussion session for the Sinhalese version of the first volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China was held on the morning of Nov. 25 in Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka. The event was under the auspices of China International Communications Group (CICG) and the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka, and was hosted by Foreign Languages Press (FLP) and Sarasavi Publishers (Pvt) Ltd.

▲ Venue of the event

CICG Vice President Liu Dawei, Minister of Mass Media and Cabinet Spokesman of Sri Lanka Hon. Bandula Gunawardhana, Ambassador of China to Sri Lanka H.E. Qi Zhenhong, and around 70 representatives from Chinese and Sri Lankan publishing industries and Sri Lankan media, universities, readers, and authors attended the event. FLP President Hu Kaimin hosted the event.

▲ Liu Dawei delivering a speech

Liu Dawei noted in his speech that putting the people first has always been the defining feature of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and the theme of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China . The book fully reflects the theoretical framework and path of Chinese modernization, and provides a reference for developing countries to achieve modernization independently. At the same time, it exemplifies the inclusive and peaceful Chinese civilization, and expounds on China’s approach to international order and global governance. It will further help readers from all sectors in Sri Lanka to better understand the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi, and promote the joint efforts of China and Sri Lanka in building a global community of shared future.

▲Bandula Gunawardhana delivering a speech

 Hon. Bandula Gunawardhana said that China has won international acclaim for its achievements under the leadership of President Xi, and that the country is realizing its goal and dream through Chinese modernization, bringing vast development potential to the world. China is a major country in hi-tech development, and its experience and practices in alleviating poverty, achieving common prosperity, and attracting foreign investment serve as valuable reference for Sri Lanka. The translation and publication of the Sinhalese version of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China allows Sri Lankan people to have a more comprehensive understanding of initiatives and ideas such as the Belt and Road Initiative and a global community of shared future in their own language.

▲ Qi Zhenhong delivering a speech

H.E. Qi Zhenhong talked about his friendship with Sri Lankan people from all walks of life as a Chinese envoy to Sri Lanka, and their admiration for a great leader like President Xi. He stated that the translation and publication of the Sinhalese version of the first volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China will enable Sri Lankan readers to gain a clearer understanding of President Xi’s ideas on leading the country towards further stability, prosperity and development, to have a more comprehensive understanding of China’s reform and opening up and its goal of national rejuvenation, and to grasp the opportunities that China’s high-quality development has to offer.

▲Ma Zhongwu delivering a speech

Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute of the University of Colombo and translator of the Sinhalese version of the first volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China Ma Zhongwu noted that the frequent exchange between him and Sri Lankan experts and scholars during his translation of the book is itself an act of mutual learning and interaction between Chinese and Sri Lankan civilizations. He suggested Chinese and Sri Lankan academics hold seminars on the book and said that the Chinese model, ideas, and wisdom in the book will provide new ideas and approaches for the development of Sri Lanka.

▲ Sri Lankan attendees speaking at the event

Chairman of Sarasavi Group of Companies Mr. H.D. Premasiri, Media Professor at the University of Kelaniya Prof. Rohana Lakshman Piyadasa, and reader representative Mr. Lakshman Wichremasinghe expressed that both China and Sri Lanka have a time-honored history and culture, and that the two countries share a history of mutual learning as traditional friendly and cooperative partners. The translation and publication of the Sinhalese version of the first volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China is a landmark in cultural communication and bilateral relations between the two countries. They said that Sri Lanka’s strategy for development in the future is highly compatible with China’s initiative of 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, and that the Belt and Road Initiative has become the mutual choice of the two countries for mutual benefits.

▲ Hu Kaimin hosting the event

The Sinhalese version of the first volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China was jointly translated and published by FLP and Sarasavi Publishers (Pvt) Ltd in 2021. To date, Xi Jinping: The Governance of China has been translated and published in 39 languages, and distributed in 180 countries and regions across the globe.