Books of the month

Across Mountains and Rivers: China's Highways, Bridges and Tunnels

Written by Mi Jinsheng, Wu Wenjing and Zhang Xi, "Across Mountains and Rivers: China's Highways, Bridges and Tunnels" introduces the key road, bridge and tunnel projects completed since the founding of the People's Republic of China, as well as the technological innovations achieved during their construction. In particular, the book explores the contributions of China's highway, bridge and tunnel construction to promoting the country's economy and raising people's standard of living, especially since the 18th CPC National Congress. In addition, the book highlights China's technological contributions to the world.

The book is divided into five parts, covering highways, bridges, tunnels, hybrid projects and overseas projects. The first four parts focus on the country's highway network, while the fifth mainly introduces efforts to promote national infrastructure connectivity. The Chinese and English editions are published by the Foreign Languages Press.

National Centre for the Performing Arts

"National Centre for the Performing Arts" comprehensively presents details of the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), bringing together wonderful pictures of the building's architecture and interior spaces that carry the function and embody the mission of the venue, as well as images of the center's core performances and artists.

The book allows readers to experience the artistic joy brought about by the institution, helping readers to learn more about the NCPA and immerse themselves in the prestigious performing arts center. The English edition is published by the Foreign Languages Press.

Comparative Studies on Chinese and Western Civilizations: The Warring States and Ancient Greece 

Written by Pan Yue, director of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council, "The Warring States and Ancient Greece" is the first volume in the"Comparative Studies on Chinese and Western Civilizations" series. Focusing on the politics of the Warring States Period (475-221 B.C.) and Ancient Greece (800-146 B.C.) as well as the fates of Xunzi, Isocrates, Aristotle and other great thinkers, the author analyzes and compares the roots of Chinese and Western civilizations, fully demonstrating the significance of cultural exchange and mutual learning.

The author points out that the disagreement on which should come first— freedom or order— should not hinder exchanges between China and the West, but instead underpin mutual learning. Only when a civilization is capable of embracing self-reflection, tolerance, harmonious coexistence, mutual learning and integration, can it truly sustain its development. The English edition of the book is published by New World Press.

Local Government in China under the Ch'ing

Written in English by famous historian and sociologist Tung Tsu-chu, "Local Government in China under the Ch'ing" analyzes the structure, operation and governance logic of prefecture-level and county-level governments in the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), and reveals the root cause of collective structural corruption of the Qing government.

First published by Harvard University Press in 1962, this classic remains a must-read among Western Sinologists and a key text in both their teaching and research. The Chinese edition is published by New Star Press.

Chinese Communists: Stories of Inspiring Principles

"Chinese Communists: Stories of Inspiring Principles" introduces the historical background and meaning of representative, inspiring principles upheld by Chinese Communists since the founding of the CPC, and recounts the CPC history through vivid stories embodying those principles. Published by New Star Press, the book has collected expressions of those inspiring principles as an authoritative reference.

On China and the West

"On China and the West" discusses similarities, differences, and integration between Chinese and Western cultures based on the co-construction perspective and the Western perspective. It combines the traditional Chinese theory of pragmatism with the West's modern and postmodern theories and applies them to reality. The 29 essays in it cover literature, philosophy, art, history, the rule of law, science, and religion, as well as global issues arising from them. The book is published by China Pictorial Publishing House.

Introducing the Ancient Greeks: From Bronze Age Seafarers to Navigators of the Western Mind

Written by acclaimed classics scholar Edith Hall, "Introducing the Ancient Greeks: From Bronze Age Seafarers to Navigators of the Western Mind" is the first book to offer a synthesis of the entire ancient Greek experience, from the rise of the Mycenaean kingdoms of the 16th century B.C. to the final victory of Christianity over paganism in A.D. 391. Each of the 10 chapters visits a different Greek community at a different moment during the 20 centuries of ancient Greek history. The Chinse edition is published by China Pictorial Publishing House. 

10134 Kilometers Across China

"10134 Kilometers Across China" is a travelogue written by Argentine media professional Gustavo Ng, who went to his ancestral country to find his roots for the first time, as a descendant of earliest Chinese immigrants to Argentina. He travelled to more than 20 cities, covering a distance of more than 10,000 kilometers. With words, photographs, and conversations with famous Chinese literati, he recorded his personal experience to deepen the friendship between the people of China and Argentine, and even Latin America. The Chinese and Spanish versions are published by Blossom Press.