CICG executive visits Kazakhstan for book release, cultural exchange

A number of books about cities along the Belt and Road route was released at an event held during the Eurasian Book Fair 2023 in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Saturday. 

Lu Cairong, vice president of China International Communications Group (CICG), speaks at a book release event held in Astana, Kazakhstan, on April 22, 2023. [Photo/CICG]

Lu Cairong, vice president of China International Communications Group (CICG), attended the event and said that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, which was proposed in Astana. The collection of Belt and Road city biographies, published by CICG and its affiliates, are expected to further promote the initiative as well as contribute to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

The book series has gained ever-growing presence in a number of countries, with over 50 versions published about cities in China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Italy, Argentina, and Panama, Lu said. More high-quality books will be published to bring readers from different countries closer, he added. 

CICG and its affiliated publishing houses gift books to the National Academic Library of Republic of Kazakhstan in Astana, Kazakhstan, on April 22, 2023. [Photo/CICG]

At the event, CICG and its affiliated publishing houses gifted the Chinese-language book series as well as other books to the National Academic Library of Republic of Kazakhstan. 

On Saturday, Lu also visited the Chinese Embassy in Kazakhstan and talked with the ambassador about carrying out more people-to-people exchange activities. At the embassy, Lu introduced CICG's achievements in international communication and pledged more efforts to tell China's stories well in Central Asia.