Reading the future

Some titles at the event

The Liang jiahe Village

The book is about President Xi Jinping's years in the village in Shaanxi province where the 15-year-old lived and worked with the villagers.

The publisher says the book is a result of more than 20 trips to Liangjiahe, and 45 revisions of the draft, based on interviews and files from archives.

Yan Xiaohong, a senior publishing official, says he discovered how Xi walked to neighboring Sichuan province to learn how to build a marsh-gas tank.

The book has 40 photos, and has sold 3.5 million copies since its launch in May. An English version will be released soon.

China's 40 Years of Reform and Opening-up

The China Party History Press has launched a new series of seven volumes on the country's economy, politics, culture, society, international relations and Party building during the 40 years of reform and opening-up.

Yang Fengcheng, a professor with Renmin University, says that, besides the achievements, the authors also look at the problems the country faces.

The book is a historical narration from many witnesses, says Yang. All material is from files that have been made public.