Chinese writer brings rural China to Russian readers

During the discussion, Ji and Baraboshkin explored the book and the development of rural China. Drawing on years of interviews, research and writing in villages, Ji described how he developed the work and discussed poverty alleviation, rural revitalization, and agricultural modernization.

Ji said China's building a moderately prosperous society in all respects resulted from sustained efforts and learning through practice, rather than something accomplished overnight. The book records individual village stories from the country's campaign against poverty while also looking back at poverty-reduction efforts since the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Before the discussion, a photo presentation introduced the audience to China's targeted poverty alleviation efforts and rural development. Images showed changes in Shibadong village in Hunan's Xiangxi region, where the concept of targeted poverty alleviation was first put forward, along with improvements in rural living conditions, roads linking towns and villages, and village landscapes. The photographs provided a visual context for the stories in the book.

China was the guest of honor at this year's Moscow International Book Fair. The discussion was one of the key events in its program, giving publishers from the two countries a chance to deepen cooperation and bring Chinese literature to more readers overseas. It also offered Russian readers a fuller picture of life in China.

The event was hosted by China South Publishing and Media Group under the guidance of the International Department of the China Writers Association, and organized by Hunan People's Publishing House and Irkutsk Book Publishing Company. The association's overseas readers clubs also provided support.