A promotion event for the fifth volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China was held in Turkey on Wednesday, bringing together government officials, academics, and publishing representatives from both China and Turkey. The event was co-organized by the State Council Information Office of China, China International Communications Group, and the Chinese Embassy in Turkey, with more than 200 participants from publishing houses, think tanks, media, and other sectors of the two countries.
The fifth volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China is a comprehensive collection of speeches, talks, and writings by Chinese President Xi Jinping, covering his thoughts on socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era. Participants at the event noted that this volume presents the latest theoretical advances and practical achievements of China's development in the new era, particularly the vision of Chinese modernization. It also elaborates on China's proposals for building a community with a shared future for mankind, a concept that has gained increasing global attention and recognition.
Turkey's Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gokhan Yazgi, delivered a speech in which he described the book as an essential resource for understanding the governance philosophy of the Communist Party of China. He stated that the book systematically explains how the CPC, through a people-centered development philosophy, has maintained long-term social stability and sustainable economic growth in China. According to Yazgi, this experience provides positive inspiration for the international community, especially for Turkey. He expressed Turkey's willingness to deepen people-to-people exchanges and inter-civilization dialogue with China to inject new momentum into bilateral friendship and cooperation.
Celal Adan, Vice President of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, also spoke at the event. He remarked that the fifth volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China serves as a valuable reference for understanding China's policy direction and strategic thinking on global issues. He highlighted that the event coincided with the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Turkey, making it particularly significant. Adan emphasized that Turkey hopes to seize this opportunity to further enhance exchanges between the legislative bodies of the two countries and to strengthen practical cooperation in various fields. He specifically mentioned the importance of synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and Turkey's Central Corridor, aiming for new progress in trade, investment, people-to-people exchanges, and tourism.
The Turkish sinologist Giray Fidan, who attended the event, noted that books serve as bridges between civilizations and play a crucial role in cultural exchange. He praised the fact that the series Xi Jinping: The Governance of China has been translated into multiple languages and distributed worldwide, which concretely reflects President Xi's call to transcend misunderstandings between civilizations through exchange. Fidan argued that the wide dissemination of the book creates new opportunities for the world to better understand China—its history, culture, and contemporary development path. He further explained that the book is not only a political work but also a cultural and philosophical guide that offers insights into the Chinese approach to governance and its implications for global governance.
The event also featured the presentation of copies of the English edition of the fifth volume and the Turkish edition of the second volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China to Turkish guests. Experts, scholars, and youth representatives engaged in in-depth discussions on topics such as economic and trade cooperation, green transition, mutual learning among civilizations, and global governance. These dialogues helped to deepen mutual understanding and explore avenues for further collaboration between China and Turkey.
The promotion event reflects the ongoing efforts to share China's development experience and governance ideas with the world. Since its first publication, the Xi Jinping: The Governance of China series has been translated into over 30 languages and circulated in more than 160 countries and regions. The fifth volume, published in 2022, covers the period from February 2020 to May 2022, a time when China faced multiple challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic and a complex international environment. It details how the CPC guided China through these difficulties while maintaining a steady course toward national rejuvenation. The book emphasizes the importance of innovation, green development, and shared prosperity, concepts that resonate with many developing countries seeking sustainable growth models.
China-Turkey relations have grown steadily over the past 55 years. The two countries established diplomatic ties in 1971 and have since expanded cooperation in political, economic, cultural, and security fields. Trade volume between China and Turkey reached $34 billion in 2022, making China one of Turkey's top trading partners. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been a key driver of this growth, with major projects such as the Istanbul Airport and the high-speed rail network benefiting from Chinese investments and expertise. Turkey's position as a bridge between Asia and Europe aligns well with the BRI's goal of enhancing connectivity. The Central Corridor initiative, which aims to connect Turkey via rail to Central Asia and China, is a natural complement to the BRI.
Many Turkish participants noted that the fifth volume provides valuable insights into China's approach to modernization, which does not follow the Western model but instead adapts socialist principles to Chinese conditions. This alternative path offers lessons for Turkey and other countries looking to achieve development without sacrificing sovereignty or cultural identity. The book's emphasis on collective leadership, long-term planning, and people-centeredness challenges prevailing neoliberal narratives and demonstrates that different governance systems can succeed.
The cultural aspect of the event also highlighted the importance of mutual understanding. Turkish attendees appreciated the opportunity to discuss philosophical and governance issues with Chinese counterparts, fostering a deeper appreciation for each other's perspectives. The exchange of books and ideas is seen as a foundation for more concrete cooperation in the future.
In addition to the formal speeches and discussions, the event provided a platform for networking and informal exchanges. Publishers from both countries explored possibilities for co-publishing and translating more works from each other's markets. Scholars agreed to establish joint research programs focusing on comparative governance and sustainable development. Representatives from Turkey's youth organizations expressed interest in learning from China's experience in education, technology, and entrepreneurship.
The event concluded with a call for continued dialogue and collaboration. Both sides committed to organizing similar events in the future to maintain the momentum of the current year, which marks the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations. As the world faces multiple crises—from climate change to geopolitical tensions—the governance models and cooperation frameworks highlighted in Xi Jinping: The Governance of China may offer inspiration for building a more stable and prosperous global order.
Source:French News