'Everything I said in this book is true': former premier Zhu Rongji
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Chancellor of Oxford University Chris Patten speaks at the launch of a "historic" book in the Bentley Hotel, London, on Monday afternoon. |
The first book by a living former Chinese premier published outside of China was launched in London on Monday afternoon.
"All I want to say is: Everything I said in this book is true. This is the principle I upheld my whole life," Zhu said in a video filed for the launch ceremony of the English edition of Zhu Rongji Meets the Press held by the Oxford University Press at the Bentley Hotel in London.
In the video, the former Chinese premier sent his greetings to various guests including the chancellor of Oxford University Chris Patten, Communist Party of China Shanghai Municipal Committee Secretary Yu Zhengsheng and Chinese Ambassador to the UK Liu Xiaoming, addressing his thanks to editors, translators and publishers.
"I dare not say how correct the arguments in the book are," Zhu said. "Nor dare I wish that all the readers agree with my views."
The book is a collection of the former premier's talks and interviews with reporters around the world.
It includes overseas speeches from 1991 to 2003 as vice premier then premier of China.
It covers reform of the State industry, transforming the financial system, joining the World Trade Organization and the bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade in May 1999.
Former US secretary of state Henry A. Kissinger wrote in the foreword, "The interviews in this book offer a rich record of Zhu's work during a period in which he served as both a leading economic official in China's domestic reforms and, in effect, as a diplomat charged with explaining and building support for China's policies abroad."
Ambassador Liu said the book could help readers improve their understanding of China.
"For example, applying scientific thinking on development, adjusting our growth model, economic restructuring, our opening-up strategy and China's path of peaceful development," Liu said.
"Readers will be reminded of Mr Zhu's endowment to China's foreign policy and to peace and development of the world."
Patten told the Global Times the book is a valuable bridge in increasing understanding between China and the rest of the world. "It's a privilege to publish this book in English," he said. "Premier Zhu Rongji was one of the most important and significant leaders of the late 20th and early 21st centuries," he said.
Beijing-based People's Publishing House President Huang Shuyuan told the Global Times the original Chinese edition published in 2009 had sold more than 2 million copies.
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