Books on citizen diplomacy released

Three books on citizen diplomacy in Shanghai, jointly compiled by the Shanghai Institute of International Studies and the Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, were released on July 11.

The concept of citizen diplomacy is that every person in the world has the responsibility to create shared understanding through meaningful people-to-people interactions.

One of the books touches on citizen diplomacy examples in Shanghai in the past 60 years, and discusses the concepts, principles, and methods of citizen diplomacy. The other two books focus on the stories of the outstanding personalities who contributed to civil communication in the municipality.

"The books are vital references for those working in foreign affairs, and also presents to the public the role of the local government and other civil forces in international affairs," Zhao Qizheng, chairman of the Committee for Foreign Affairs in China, said in the preface of one of the books.

"President Xi Jinping has stated that citizen diplomacy, as a part of the country's diplomatic efforts, is essential in promoting friendship among people from around the world and the development of international relations," said Zhang Xiaosong, director of the Foreign Affairs Office of Shanghai Municipal People's government.

"We should always be guided by the Xi Jinping Thought on the diplomacy of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and accelerate the exchanges between Chinese people and civils in other countries in Shanghai," he added.