Acclaim greets Thai debut of president's book

Xi Jinping: The Governance of China offers a gateway to learning about modern China and the president himself, said top officials and scholars in Thailand, where the book's Thai language version debuted on Friday in Bangkok.

The book, which outlines the political ideas of the top leadership in China, has been published by Thai publisher Matichon Public Co. The book was already published in 16 languages, and 6.2 million copies have been distributed worldwide.

Thai Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said the book is enlightening, thought-provoking and a good way to gain knowledge about China.

"If you want to learn about China and President Xi in depth, you should read the book," he said at a ceremony marking the book's Thai-language debut.

Wissanu said he decided to read the book after it was recommended by Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, and he found the book to be beneficial.

He said that since the Thai government is set to kick off a new round of reform, the country can find it enlightening to borrow experience from China's national strategies and ongoing reform.

"It is more meaningful to read the book while comparing it with the current situation in Thailand," he said.

The book collects 79 articles, speeches, lectures and letters of Xi Jinping from November 2012 to June 2014 and features 45 photos of Xi in various periods.

Jiang Jianguo, minister of the State Council Information Office, said at the book's debut that a rich spirit of humanity is palpable while reading the book.

The humane spirit comes from a love for the outstanding traditional values and concepts of China, a high degree of confidence in the advanced culture in Chinese socialism and a full respect for all of the illustrious achievements of human civilization, Jiang said.

He said he hoped the publishing of the book in Thailand will help the two countries step up exchanges and learn more from each other.

Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, president of Thailand's National Legislative Assembly, said the book tells a simple truth, which is that the governing of a country is an exquisite art rather than simple use of power.

Seubpong Changboonchu, one of three translators of the book, said translating the book enabled him to gain a better understanding of China.

"Many Thai people may know China and Chinese people. But a deeper level of understanding is still lacking."