The launch of the Icelandic edition of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" was celebrated at the Harpa Conference & Concert Center in the capital city Reykjavik on October 11th.

Former Icelandic President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson attended the event and delivered a speech. He recalled the story of his encounters with President Xi Jinping, saying that he was impressed by President Xi Jinping's philosophy of governing the country through direct contact between them.

He welcomed the Icelandic edition of the book. "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, adding that the Icelandic version of the book will further promote mutual understanding and friendly exchanges between China and Iceland and the two peoples. If we want to understand our future, to navigate our future, we need to understand China, he said.

In a video statement, Du Zhanyuan, President of China International Communications Group, said, "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" shows President Xi Jinping's in-depth thinking on China's national governance and global governance issues and reflects China's plan to promote 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 for more Icelandic readers to understand Xi Jinping's 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. After reading this book, one can have a deeper understanding and perception of the people-centered development thought of the Communist Party of China, the development practice of Chinese-style modernization, and the common values of all mankind that China has consistently advocated for peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom.

Chinese Ambassador to Iceland He Rulong said in his speech that China and Iceland enjoyed a traditional friendship. The Governance of China Volume I in Icelandic, the first Nordic language version, stands as a testament to the importance China attaches to its relations with Iceland and to their mutual friendship. This book will help Icelandic readers better understand President Xi Jinping's thinking and concepts on how to govern China and how to realize national prosperity and development. It will also give Icelandic friends a more direct perspective into Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era. These above-mentioned dividends will help bring about a promising future of mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Iceland.

At the launch ceremony, He Rulong and Icelandic guests jointly unveiled the Icelandic version of the first volume of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China". The Ambassador also presented the new book to Icelandic guests.

The event was co-hosted by China Foreign Languages Publishing Administration, the Chinese Embassy in Iceland, and organized by Foreign Languages Press, the Icelandic Publishing Company BF-utgafa. It was attended by some 60 political leaders, government officials, and academicians, including Martin Eyjólfsson, Permanent Secretary of State of Iceland, Director of the Presidential Office, and representatives from BF-utgafa.

The Icelandic edition of the first volume of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" was jointly translated and published by the Foreign Languages Press and Icelandic Publishing Company BF-utgafa.

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