China Report ASEAN Bangkok Bureau hosted the launch ceremony for the book "Keywords to Understand China: The Belt and Road Initiative" (Thai edition) on March 14, 2019 at the Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand. Many distinguished guests from both China and Thailand attended the event.

The publication of the book is a national project of great importance. Featuring an array of keywords that illustrate the concepts of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) introduced by Chinese President Xi Jinping, the book will help readers understand more about the vision.

Officially launched in 2013, the BRI aims to connect 70 countries which contain two-thirds of the world population together through a network of land and sea trade routes. As the proverbial saying goes, "As storytelling requires important words, the story of the history of China does require the important words as well." The book Keywords to Understand China will be conducive to comprehending what China has done for the world through the BRI.

The book "Keywords to Understand China: The Belt and Road Initiative" had been translated into 14 foreign languages, including English, French, Russian, Spanish, Arabic, German, Portuguese, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Turkish and Kazakhstan, before its 15th version, in the Thai language, was recently published. The Thai edition is prepared for sale in 353 bookstores throughout Thailand under SE-ED bookstore business.

At the ceremony, China Report Press, Thai private sector companies, and Thai-Chinese Friendship Association signed a Memorandum of Understranding (MOU) on media cooperation. The Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies and the Thailand-China Belt and Road Cooperation Research Center signed a Memorandum of Understanding on think tank exchanges and cooperation.

Following the launch ceremony, China-Thailand High-End Think Tank Dialogue was held under the theme "China-Thailand Cooperation: Working Together to Create an Asian Community with a Shared Future." At the Seminar, guest speakers from China and Thailand exchanged views on elevating the implementation of the BRI to a higher level. The three important events: the ceremony, signings of the MOUs, and the seminar, are all the activities for celebrating the China-ASEAN Year of Media Exchanges in 2019.

Chen Shi, Deputy Editor-in-chief of China International Publishing Group (CIPG) and President of China Report Press, gave a speech at the launch ceremony. "As an international news organization, China Report Press attaches great importance on promoting the exchange of personnel and global experience in both media and brainstorming. This year marks the China-ASEAN Year of Media Exchanges. Today's event will help to strengthen bilateral exchanges and cooperation, especially between China and Thailand."

Dr. Chawirat Kasetsunthorn, Assistant Minister of Culture, said that the Ministry of Culture of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China, as well as the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Thailand, will continue to promote, support, and develop relations through continuous and concrete cultural exchange activities. "The book Keywords to Understand China will facilitate a better understanding of the BRI and promote relations and cooperation between Thailand and China under the framework of the initiative," she added.

The ceremony was co-organized by CIPG, the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Thailand, the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies, China Report Press, Office of the National Research Council of Thailand, and Thai-Chinese Journalists Association.