The Icelandic edition of the first volume of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" was launched in Reykjavik, capital of Iceland, on Tuesday.

Former Icelandic President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson delivers a speech during the event to launch the Icelandic edition of the first volume of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" in Reykjavik, Iceland, Oct. 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Jing)

Former Icelandic President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson attended the event held at the Harpa Conference and Concert Center and delivered a speech, in which he recalled his previous interaction with Chinese President Xi Jinping, saying that he was impressed by Xi's governance philosophy.

He welcomed the Icelandic edition of the book, which he believes will further promote mutual understanding and friendly exchanges between China and Iceland and the two peoples.

"I see the publication of this book in languages other than Chinese as an attempt to create a dialogue with all the nations," he said. "If we want to understand our future, to navigate our future, we need to understand China."

In a video address, Du Zhanyuan, president of China International Communications Group, said that "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" shows Xi's in-depth thinking on issues related to China's national governance and global governance and includes China's plan for promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind and a better world.

The publication of the Icelandic version of this book will open a new window through which more Icelandic readers can understand Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and build a bridge of understanding for promoting mutual learning between the civilizations of China and Iceland, Du said.

After reading this book, one can have a deeper understanding and perception of the people-centered approach to development held by the Communist Party of China, the development practices of Chinese-style modernization, and the common values of all mankind that China has consistently advocated -- peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom, Du said.

Noting that China and Iceland enjoy a traditional friendship, Chinese Ambassador to Iceland He Rulong said in his speech that the Icelandic version of the first volume of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China," the first time the book has been rendered into a Nordic language, testifies to the friendly relations between China and Iceland.

This book will help Icelandic readers better understand Xi's thinking and concepts on how to govern China and how to realize national prosperity and development, and will give Icelandic friends a more direct perspective on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, which will help create more beautiful prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Iceland, He said.

At the event, He also gave the newly published books to the Icelandic guests as gifts.

The book was jointly translated and published by China's Foreign Languages Press and Icelandic publishing company BF-utgafa.

So far, the first volume of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" has been published in 37 languages.