Book-presentation event of the German edition of Xi Jinping’s The Belt and Road Initiative held in Frankfurt
On Oct 20, 2023 (local time) – under the auspices of China International Communications Group and the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Frankfurt – a book-presentation for the German edition of The Belt and Road Initiative by Xi Jinping was held in Frankfurt. The event was hosted by Foreign Languages Press, organized by CBT China Book Trading GmbH and co-organized by CGTN Europe. Guests from China and other countries, including Lu Cairong (vice president of China International Communications Group), Huang Yiyang (consul-general of the People’s Republic of China in Frankfurt), Dr. Michael Borchmann (former head of the International Affairs Division of the Hessen State Government in Germany), Zhou Xifan (president of the Association of Chinese Enterprises in Frankfurt and general manager of the Frankfurt branch of Agricultural Bank of China), Professor Cord Eberspächer (German sinologist and historian), and Herrn Burkhard Risse (German translator and editor at Foreign Languages Press) were in attendance.
▲Lu Cairong delivering a speech
Lu Cairong pointed out that the eight major steps China will take to support the joint pursuit of high-quality cooperation as announced by President Xi in his keynote speech at the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation are both rich in content and far-reaching in significance. The Belt and Road Initiative is not just a book by a head of state, it also provides a profound discussion on the guiding principles, rich content, goals and pathways of Belt and Road cooperation, reveals the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)’s development process from the beginning up till now, and reflects the president’s efforts, wisdom and contributions to promoting the BRI.
▲Address by Huang Yiyang
Huang Yiyang said that over the past 10 years, we have witnessed Belt and Road cooperation – with the joint efforts of all partners – transform from concept to action and from vision to reality. It has become a popular international public good and cooperation platform, and German readers will hopefully take the opportunity provided by this edition to deepen their understanding of China’s new development philosophy and the Chinese path to modernization.
▲Address by Dr. Michael Borchmann
Dr. Michael Borchmann concluded that this book introduces German readers to the BRI and the development process of this successful initiative. In the past decade, the ports, railways, roads and industrial parks built around the world as part of the BRI have successfully connected Africa, Asia and Europe, created a large number of jobs, and promoted high-quality development.
▲Address by Zhou Xifan
Zhou Xifan said that BRI cooperation has already become a popular platform for international cooperation. Germany is one of China’s major trading partners in Europe. A number of the BRI’s exemplary projects (like the China-Europe Railway Express) have been conducted with cooperation between China and Germany. These cooperative projects fully embody the spirit of the BRI – peace, cooperation, openness, inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit.
▲Address by Professor Cord Eberspächer
Professor Cord Eberspächer said that the BRI has been a great success under the five-pronged approach proposed by President Xi – policy coordination, infrastructure connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration and closer people-to-people ties. The goals set in 2013 have been realized to a large extent and, as we continue to pursue high-quality BRI cooperation, everyone is looking forward to the bright future of the BRI.
▲Address by Herrn Burkhard Risse
Herrn Burkhard Risse shared his experience in translating this book. He learned many new concepts and expressions in the translation process. Some Chinese cultural terms, sayings and proverbs translated in this book are similar to the European Union motto “United in diversity”. The publication of this book provides translators with the opportunity to introduce the meaning of the BRI to the German-speaking world and tell the story of China’s development to German readers.
▲Moderator Xu Rong
During the event, guests conducted in-depth exchanges and agreed that the BRI is a major measure for China to carry out its all-round opening up to the outside world under new historical conditions. As an important platform for promoting a global community of shared future, the BRI provides a strong drive for the economic recovery of all countries and contributes China’s wisdom, solutions and strength to building a better world.
▲Group photo
The book’s English, French, Russian, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, German and Japanese editions were published by Foreign Languages Press.