The publication ceremony for the Turkish-language version of President Xi Jinping’s book Xi Jinping: The Governance of China was held in the Turkish capital Ankara on April 17 and was attended by Vice-Premier Liu Yandong and Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek.

Liu is paying official visits to Turkey, Jordan, Iran and South Africa from April 17 to April 27.

The book was released as trade with Turkey reached $19.5 billion last year. The two countries have maintained frequent high-level exchanges.

The Turkish version of the book gives readers access to the Chinese leader’s ideas on governance, the dreams and pursuits of the nation as well as the goals and tasks of China’s reform and development, Liu said on April 17.

The vice-premier said President Xi has thought about, discussed and proposed many new ideas and strategies to respond to major issues regarding the development of the Communist Party of China and the country.

The book’s release will help build ties between China’s and Turkey’s governments, will help develop a mutual understanding of the two peoples and cement a strategic cooperative partnership, Liu added.

Simsek said China’s reform and opening-up have been great achievements, and the nation’s place in the world’s economy and political scene has been increasing.

The book offers the Turkish people a view to better understand China’s political vision and its view and path regarding development, Simsek said. It effectively interprets and showcases the achievement and experience of China’s progress in recent years, he said.

Simsek said Turkey is willing to boost exchanges with China on governance as well as helping build the Belt and Road Initiative — namely the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road — and this will bring new opportunities for bilateral ties.

Before the debut of the Turkish edition, the Cambodian, Thai and Urdu language versions of the book were released in Cambodia, Thailand and Pakistan this month.

The book contains 79 speeches, talks, interviews, notes and letters of the Chinese leader between November 2012 and June 2014.

More than 6.2 million copies have been distributed worldwide.