Beijing (CNS) -- Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair introduced his Chinese autobiography called "A Journey" to Beijing readers on August 30. During the release conference, he told the young generation that it is necessary to pick up more languages and suggested Chinese a best choice as the language of a country with the largest population.
"A Journey" is Blair's own description and depiction of his experiences during the prime minister term and in daily life within the time period from when Princess Diana passed away to the anti-terrorism war. It includes stories about Blair and his colleagues such as Gordon Brown, as well as world leaders Mandela, Clinton, Putin, and Bush, covering many an influential issue, for instance, the Northern Ireland Peace Talks, British domestic reforms, and the Iraq War.
He told the audience about his own habit of reading other world leader's memoirs before going to sleep. It lets him sleep soundly, he said humorously. In the book, he tried to persuade the world that politicians are not extra-terrestrials, but ordinary people working in a special environment.
In the preface, he mentioned his first visit to China in 1989. Comparing that experience with China today, he is amazed at the unbelievable changes. For him, the changes have nothing to do with economic growth, nor rising skyscrapers, but the Chinese people.
Early in 1989, Blair thought that the Chinese were boring and unconfident. But now, the country is energetic, vigorous, and so proud of itself.
Blair has visited China frequently. Every single one has given him more knowledge and thoughts about this unexplored land. He has realized that so many fascinating things about this country have yet to be uncovered.
Liu Binjie, director general of the General Administration of Press and Publication, spoke at the conference as well. He treated the Chinese memoir as a significant publication for the people of both countries to know more about each other, just as most of the world's best sellers that have been released in China and received warm welcome by the Chinese readers.
Famous actress Li Bingbing praised part of "A Journey." The Chinese paperbound memoir was priced at 48 yuan.
