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English debut of 'The Liangzhou Talks' sheds light on Chinese history

By Cui Can   |    CICG, May 22, 2023

The English edition of "The Liangzhou Talks" was unveiled in Beijing on Friday, with an accompanying symposium attended by executives of publishing houses and history scholars. 

Lu Cairong, vice president of China International Communications Group (CICG), delivers a speech at the launch of "The Liangzhou Talks" (English Edition) held in Beijing on May 19, 2023. [Photo/CICG and Duzhe Publishing & Media Corp.]

The book draws its content from a significant historical event in 1247 when local Tibetan religious leader Sakya Pandita went to today's Wuwei in Gansu province as a representative of Tibet to meet with Prince Godan of Mongolia, representing the Mongolian Khan court. The two reached an important consensus after a series of negotiations, officially incorporating Tibet into China's territory. 

Lu Cairong, vice president of China International Communications Group (CICG), addressed the book's launch ceremony. He said the publication of "The Liangzhou Talks" in English helps to better tell China's stories to the world.

Lu also underscored CICG's enduring commitment to enhancing international communication, particularly through translating and publishing books. He highlighted CICG's efforts to assemble exceptional talent and foster an advanced team of translators and publishers to bolster its operations. 

According to the publishers, the Chinese version of "The Liangzhou Talks" was revised by Gansu Ethnic Publishing House, and then the Academy of Translation and Interpretation under CICG brought in experts and scholars to translate the revised text into English. 

Participants in the symposium agreed that the English edition of the book provides an accurate and fair account of the Liangzhou Talks and its historical context and implications. They also said that the book will help international readers learn that Tibet is an inseparable part of China since ancient times and that China is a unified multi-ethnic country whose long-standing history and glorious culture are a fruit of all ethnic groups in the nation. 

The English version of "The Liangzhou Talks" is unveiled in Beijing on May 19, 2023. [Photo/CICG and Duzhe Publishing & Media Corp.]

The book launch event was co-organized by Duzhe Publishing & Media Corp., Gansu Ethnic Publishing House, Foreign Languages Press, and the China International Book Trading Corporation. This collaborative effort was guided by CICG and the Information Office of the Gansu Provincial People's Government.