On the eve of Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the China-UAE readers' seminar on "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China," as well as the Chinese Books Exhibition Week, was held in Abu Dhabi on July 15.

More than 200 people from the two countries' governments, educational institutions, publishing industries and presses attended the event, including Wang Xiaohui, executive deputy head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and also head of the State Film Administration, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the UAE's minister of state for tolerance, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the UAE's minister of state and chairman of the UAE National Media Council, and Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, the UAE's minister of culture and knowledge development.

In his speech, Wang said "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" is an important work of Xi and an authoritative book for understanding and mastering Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

"This important work, from the angle of philosophy and history, expounds profoundly the important proposition of where China comes from and where it goes, responds to all kinds of realistic problems faced by contemporary China, and reflects the ideas and strategies of the CPC's governing of China in a concentrated way," Wang said. "The book provides an in-depth thinking about the future of mankind and explains in a systematical way how the Chinese wisdom and the Chinese approach could solve problems baffling all human. We believe that by reading this book, the United Arab Emirates and friends from all over the world can better understand Xi Jinping Thought, as well as the deep-seated reasons for the historic achievements and changes that have taken place in contemporary China."

In his speech, Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi said that the book has helped readers of the UAE to understand Xi's profound thinking on state governance and to better understand China. It has also pushed forward the two countries' cultural exchanges and friendly relations to a new level. The two countries should translate and publish more such thoughtful works and deepen cultural exchanges and cooperation.

Ni Jian, China's ambassador to the UAE, said Xi's historic visit to the UAE will further enrich the connotation of China-UAE's strategic partnership and comprehensively enhance the level of pragmatic cooperation between the two countries in various fields. The readers' seminar will not only provide an important opportunity for the UAE people to have a deeper understanding of contemporary China, but also play a clarion "trumpet" for Xi's upcoming state visit to the UAE.

Omar Al Bitar, former UAE ambassador to China, said that under the leadership of Xi, China has put the interests of its people in the foremost position, and the country relentlessly strives to meet the demands of its people, encourages innovation and puts an important focus on scientific and technological development. He added that Xi also proposed to jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind, as well as the Belt and Road Initiative. China's better development will benefit both China and the world at the same time.

Egyptian publisher Ahmed said the book is a sign of China's initiative to communicate with the world. It responds to various international concerns of China while clearing up some misunderstandings, he said, adding that many of the issues that concern the readers have been talked about in a frank and detailed manner by Xi in his book.

Fatima, a former political science major from the UAE Heritage Club, said she is very concerned about Chinese politics and governance and that she believes China's rapid development cannot be achieved without a strong and firm leadership. She also said that China's Belt and Road initiative links China with many countries and helps more and more countries to move forward.

The event was sponsored by the State Council Information Office of China, the UAE's Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, the Chinese Embassy in the UAE, and China International Publishing Group. Recently, the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee also organized a series of media cultural exchange activities in the UAE, such as the opening ceremony of the "China Theater," the Chinese Film Week, and the special performance of the "Embrace China" Art Festival.