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The Governance of China

Editors	State Council Information Office, Party Literature Research Office of CPCCC), China International Publishing Group
Author	Xi Jinping
Original title	习近平谈治国理政
Language	Simplified Chinese, English, Arabic, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, others
Genre	Politics
Publisher	Foreign Languages Press
Publication date	2014, 2017
Publication place	Mainland China
Published in English	2014, 2017
Media type	Print (Hardcover, Paperback)
Pages	515 (V.I), 620 (V.II)
ISBN	978-7-119-09023-8 (Vol. I)
Website	"china.org.cn".

The Governance of China is a two-volume collection of speeches and writings by Xi Jinping, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and current paramount leader of China. Presenting the official party line for China's development in the 21st century, the collection is a literary successor to Chairman Mao Zedong's Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-tung and is an authoritative source on Xi Jinping Thought.

The first volume was published in 2014, and the second volume was published in 2017.

Outline

Governance of China consists of 178 pieces, organized thematically into 35 chapters. Both of the work's volumes were edited by three entities: the State Council Information Office, the Party Literature Research Office (of the CPC Central Committee), and the China International Publishing Group. The volumes are also interspersed with photography of Xi, depicting him "at work and in daily life".

The text articulates Xi Jinping Thought, Xi's political philosophy, as it relates to large-scale political issues concerning China including economics, domestic politics, international relations, infrastructure, technology, environmentalism, peaceful co-existence, and the military. Volume I also contains an appendix which is a political biography of Xi.

Release

The Governance of China in different languages presented at Shanghai Library

Both volumes of Governance of China were formally presented to western audiences at the London Book Fair upon their releases, and both volumes have been translated into other major languages apart from Chinese, including English, Arabic, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.

Digital versions of volume I in Chinese and English are available on digital trade platforms including Amazon, OverDrive, CNPeReading and iReader.

Reception

Reviews of Governance of China have been mixed, including positive reception from Chinese officials, measured praise from non-Chinese leaders, and negative reviews in Western media, where the work is sometimes regarded as propaganda. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is reported to have read the book, and to have ordered copies for the company's employees. Zuckerberg's interest in the book has been interpreted as a vested interest; Facebook is blocked in China, and if the block were lifted, the potential result would be a dramatic increase in Facebook's userbase.

Although Chinese media have reported global circulation numbers for the book's volumes on the order of several million copies, Western media have also reported very low sales numbers for the work in Western countries. "There may not be very many readers outside China. The publisher claims the second volume has a global circulation of 13 million. But, according to Scott Morton of Nielsen Bookscan, a data provider, fewer than 100 copies of the English-language version of the second volume have actually been sold in Britain since it was published in November. Sales are slightly higher in Australia, at 124. The first volume has not performed much better: 588 copies in Britain and 430 in Australia." It is likely that freebies of both volumes hugely exceed the number of copies sold to individuals.

Volume 1 summary

Chapter	Title	Background	Summary
1	The People's Wish for a Good Life is Our Goal	A portion of a 15 November 2012 speech given by Xi Jinping to members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the 18th CPC Central Committee after he was elected General Secretary of the Central Committee	Xi extols China's "5000 years of development", its people, and its culture, and praises the Communist Party of China for "transforming poor and backward China into an increasingly prosperous and strong nation". He claims that the "mission" of the Communist Party is to fulfill "the people's wish for a happy life", which involves leading the people to "free their minds", "carry out reform", "unfetter and develop the productive forces", and "solve the people's problems in work and life". Xi also alludes to his plans to begin an anti-corruption campaign.
2	Study, Disseminate and Implement the Guiding Principles of the 18th CPC National Congress	A speech given at the first group study session of the Political Bureau of the 18th CPC Central Committee, presided over by Xi Jinping.	Xi urges Party members to study and disseminate the political report of the 18th National Congress of the CPC. He claims on multiple occasions that "only socialism can save China", and calls Socialism with Chinese Characteristics the "fundamental accomplishment made by the Party", which the Party must "never deviate from". He sets out the goal of China becoming a "moderately prosperous society" by 2021, 50 years after the formation of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1949, and a "prosperous, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious modern socialist country" by 2049, 100 years after the PRC's founding. He then provides brief praises for the Party's "three generations of collective leadership": (1) Mao Zedong, (2) Deng Xiaoping, and (3) Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao. He reaffirms Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought, proclaims that the historic mission of the CPC has been the "rejuvenat[ion] of the Chinese nation", and stresses that China is still in the primary stage of socialism, a justification used to defend economic policies that many observers consider capitalist in nature.(source)
3	Uphold and Develop Socialism with Chinese Characteristics	2013 speech to the newly-elected Central Committee of the CPC	Xi asserts the centrality of Socialism with Chinese characteristics, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Three Represents, Marxism, and the Scientific Outlook on Development to the Communist Party, and again argues that "only socialism can save China and...bring development to China". He also emphasizes that Chinese socialism must continue to adapt, and must learn from the "two historical phases" of Chinese socialism: the pre-reform period (CPC under Mao Zedong) and the post-reform-and-opening-up period (CPC since Deng Xiaoping).
4	Carry on the Enduring Spirit of Mao Zedong Thought	Speech commemorating the 120th anniversary of the birth of Mao Zedong	Xi argues that the Party should "uphold and apply" Mao Zedong Thought, which according to Xi consists of three basic tenets: seeking truth from facts, the mass line, and independence. He also contends that Marxism is a "universal truth with eternal ideological value", but emphasizes that it is incomplete and China must continue to adapt Marxism to Chinese conditions through socialism with Chinese characteristics. He concludes by saying that China has no desire to seek "hegemonism" or territorial expansion, but will "resolutely defend [its] sovereignty" (which, importantly, according to the CPC includes the de facto independent state of Taiwan, the contested area of the South China Sea known as the nine dash line, and Tibet and Xinjiang, which some international commentators argue is colonized territory).
5	Achieving Rejuvenation Is the Dream of the Chinese People	2012 speech made at the "Road to Rejuvenation" exhibition	Xi references the century of humiliation, and states that the Dream of the Chinese People is national rejuvenation—that is, becoming a "prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious" nation.
6	Address to the First Session of the 12th National People's Congress	2013 speech at the 12th National People's Congress
7	Hard Work Makes Dreams Come True	2013 speech at a discussion session with national "model" workers	Xi states that to achieve the goal of a "moderately prosperous society" by 2021 and a "prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, and harmonious" country by 2049 (100 years after the establishment of the PRC), the working class must play an "exemplary and leading role" by making "concerted efforts to realize the Chinese Dream, "enhance their sense of historical mission and responsibility", "do their jobs well", "closely follow the Party", "resolutely support the socialist system", "keep the country's overall interests in mind", and be "model workers".
8	Realize Youthful Dreams	2013 speech at to "outstanding young representatives from all walks of life"
9	The Chinese Dream Will Benefit Not Only the People of China, But Also of Other Countries	2013 interview with reporters from Trinidad and Tobago, Costa Rica, and Mexico	Xi argues that the Chinese Dream of building a "prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, and harmonious" through socialism with Chinese characteristics, "peaceful development", and "opening up" the economy will benefit not only the Chinese people but people from the rest of the world. He further asserts that China and Latin America are "connected heart and soul" and China is ready to "work with Latin American and Caribbean countries hand in hand".
10	Right Time to Innovate and Make Dreams Come True	2013 speech at the centenary celebration of the Western Returned Scholars Association	Xi says that the present is the right time to innovate, and that Chinese students and scholars outside of the country should "integrate [their] patriotic love" and "aspiration[s] to make the country strong" to aid in the "Chinese Dream" of national rejuvenation. He lays out four "hopes" for Chinese abroad: (1) to "adhere to patriotism, (2) to study hard, (3) to "be more innovative and creative", and (4) to "work for dynamic exchanges with other countries". He then praises the Western Returned Scholars Association, an association of Chinese people who studied in Western countries and returned to China.
11	The Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation Is a Dream Shared by All Chinese	2014 speech to representatives attending the Seventh Conference of Friendship of Overseas Chinese Associations	Xi claims that the "Chinese culture" is the "shared soul" and the "united Chinese nation" is the "shared root" of all Chinese people—both among domestic China and among overseas Chinese. He says that overseas Chinese have "given their enthusiastic support" of "China's revolution, construction and reform" and have made major contributions to it as well as to the "Chinese Dream" of national rejuvenation.
17	Economic Growth Must Be Genuine and Not Inflated	Selected portions of a 30 November 2012 speech at a CPC Central Committee symposium	Xi lays out five goals for the CPC economic policy: (1) maintain economic growth, (2) "consolidate" agriculture as the "foundation of the economy, (3) carry out "economic restructuring", (4) carry out reforms on the "socialist market economy", and (5) improve people's standard of living.
18	Open Wider to the Outside World	Selected portions of an 8 April 2013 speech at the Boao Forum for Asia annual conference	Xi states that China will continue to open its economy and take further steps to "enhance the rule of law" and improve the "investment environment". He also claim that China has fulfilled the promises it made as conditions for acceptance into the World Trade Organization (WTO), a point which is disputed by many other WTO member countries.(source)
19	The "Invisible Hand" and the "Visible Hand"	Selected portions of a 26 May 2014 speech at the 15th group study session of the Political Bureau of the 18th CPC Central Committee	Xi emphasizes market socialism as a central feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics and says that "the market [should] play the decisive role in allocating resources".
25	Enhance Publicity and Theoretical work	2013 speech at a national meeting on publicity and theoretical work	Xi states that "economic development is the Party's central task" and "ideological development is one of its top priorities". He concludes that the Party's publicity and theoretical works should "aim to consolidate Marxism as the guiding ideology of China", and so encourages officials to "master" Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Three Represents, and the Scientific Outlook on Development". He further says that the Party should "focus on serving the people" while "upgrading their persona quality".
26	Strong Ethical Support for the Realization of the Chinese Dream	2013 speech given when meeting the fourth group of nominees and winners of the national ethical model awards	Xi praises the nominees and winners of the national ethical model awards, says that the long history of Chinese civilization has cultivated Chinese people's pursuit of noble values, and states that these virutes have been the "stimuli" behind "reform", "opening up", and "socialist modernization".
27	Enhance China's Cultural Soft Power	Speech at the 12th group study session of the Political Bureau of the 18th CPC Central Committee	Xi argues that strengthening China's cultural soft power is essential to achieving the two Centenary Goals and realizing the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.
28	Cultivate and Disseminate the Core Socialist Values	2014 speech at the 13th group study session of the Political Bureau of the 18th CPC Central Committee	Xi encourages Party members to "cultivate and disseminate the core socialist values as a fundamental project for integrating the people's mindset and reinforcing social foundations". He emphasizes that ideological values are a "key" to building soft power as they show the "vitality, cohesion and appeal of the core values of a nation", as well as being essential to social harmony and stability. He says that traditional Chinese culture must act as the "base" (a departure from early CPC history under Mao Zedong, which encouraged the destruction of the "Four Olds") while still taking a "critical approach" that "keep[s] the essential" but elimnate[s] false" and "put[s] forth new ideas". He encourages Party members to show the public what is "true" and "good" as well as inform that what is "false..evil..and ugly".
29	Young People Should Practice the Core Socialist Values	2014 speech at a seminar with teachers and students of Peking University
30	Foster and Practice Core Socialist Values from Childhood	2014 speech at the Minzu Primary School of the Haidian District in Beijing, China	Xi emphasizes the 5000 year history of China and encourages teachers to foster in children the "core socialist values": prosperity, democracy, civility, harmony, freedom, equality, justice, the rule of law, patriotism, dedication, integrity, and friendship. To do this, he outlines four points: (1) remembering the requirements (that is, "children need to learn by heart the core socialist values"), following role models, starting from childhood, and accepting help.
31	Eliminate Poverty and Accelerate Development in Impoverished Areas	2012 speech during an inspection of poverty-alleviation and development work in Fuping County, Hebei Province	Xi emphasizes that it is essential to socialism to eradicate poverty and achieve "common prosperity". He states that while much economic progress has been made since opening up, China is still in the primary stage of socialism and thus there is much more that needs to be done, particularly in rural areas and "old revolutionary base areas".
32	Better and Fairer Education for the 1.3 Billion Chinese People	2013 speech of the video message for the first anniversary of the United Nations Global Education First Initiative	Xi says that education is the "foundation for national development" and that China will continue to support United Nations education initiatives as well as promote education within China.
44	Hong Kong, Macao and the Chinese Mainland Are Closely Linked by Destiny	Selected portions several talks with Hong Kong and Macao leaders	Xi commits to the One Country, Two Systems principle with regards to both Hong Kong and Macao while emphasizing that the Chinese Dream of "national rejuvenation" requires "common development" between the mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao.
54	Follow the Trends of the Times and Promote Global Peace and Development	2013 speech at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations
55	Build a New Model of Major-Country Relationship Between China and the United States	2013 speech after the first meeting between Xi Jinping and former US President Barack Obama	Xi says that he told then-President of the United States Barack Obama that he would "unswervingly follow the path of peaceful development, further...reform and opening up, strive to realize the Chinese Dream of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and promote the noble cause of peace and development of mankind". He says that they both agreed to pursue a "new model" of cooperation that differs from the "historical clashes and confrontations between major powers", which would involve "enhanced dialog and communication" and increased mutual trust.
56	Build a Bridge of Friendship and Cooperation Across the Eurasian Continent	2014 speech at the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium	Xi argues for cooperation between China and Europe, and particularly emphasizes "four bridges: peace, growth, reform, and progress. He also states that China and the European Union are the "two most important economies in the world" and must uphold open markets and investment and explore the possibility of a free trade agreement, and pushes the Belt and Road Initiative as a means towards this.

See also

• General Secretary Xi Jinping important speech series
• Quotations from Chairman Mao Zedong
• Xi Jinping Thought

External links

• Swaine, Michael D. (Fall 2015). "Xi Jinping on Chinese Foreign Relations: The Governance of China and Chinese Commentary" (PDF). China Leadership Monitor. 48: 1–13. Michael D. Swaine presents a scholarly analysis of the first volume of Governance of China. China Leadership Monitor, Issue 48, Fall 2015, a publication of the Hoover Institution.
• The Governance of China online.