Beijing Launch of the Chinese Editions of Kofi Annan's Memoirs and Selected Speeches
By staff reporter ZHANG HUI
April 22 saw the launch in Beijing of the Chinese editions of two books by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, We the Peoples: A UN for the 21st Century and Interventions: A Life In War and Peace. Kofi Annan, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and chairman of the Kofi Annan Foundation, attended the launch ceremony, co-sponsored by China International Publishing Group (CIPG) and the Kofi Annan Foundation.
CIPG President Zhou Mingwei said in his speech at the ceremony that Mr. Annan had devoted his entire life and career to UN affairs and to the human peace and development cause, seeking to achieve his ideals while sticking to his beliefs. The two books will give young Chinese readers a better understanding of the UN and of Annan himself, help them form an international perspective, and promote dissemination of the spirit and ideals of the Charter of the United Nations in China. The peaceful development and cultural diversity Annan has long advocated tally with the pursuits of CIPG, its work style and missions, Zhou Mingwei said.
Kofi Annan spoke at the launch ceremony of how the cooperation mode the UN has long advocated has been challenged since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and how the world continues to be racked by incessant regional conflicts and turmoil. He expressed hope that the younger generation will courageously meet all challenges and be unafraid of change, saying in conclusion that the world belongs to the young generation, and that their efforts will make it a better place. Annan presented at the launch ceremony the Chinese language editions of his books to students and teachers from China Foreign Affairs University.
The Chinese translation of the selection of Annan's speeches We the Peoples: A UN for the 21st Century is published by Foreign Languages Press. It encapsulates Kofi Annan's most momentous and moving speeches during his tenure as UN Secretary-General, touching on the Kosovo War, the crisis over East Timor and the war in Iraq. The selection gives a broad view of Annan's most pressing concerns and political viewpoints, and captures the eloquence of his expressed pursuit of peace. The speech topics encompass development, health, climate change, prevention of genocide, and the ideal of diversity. All underline the UN's deep involvement in these most important issues of the era.
Yilin Press published the Chinese edition of Annan's memoir Interventions: A Life In War and Peace, in which Annan shares, in a lively and candid tone, his life experience and events in his political career. He sets down his unique experience and roles in the wake of 9/11 and the U.S.'s occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan, the Middle East peace talks, the brutal conflicts in Somalia, Rwanda, Bosnia, Kosovo and East Timor, and the humanitarian disaster in Darfur.
Former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Chen Jian, CIPG Vice President Lu Cairong, Phoenix Publishing & Media, Inc. Deputy General Manager She Jiangtao, Foreign Languages Press President Xu Bu, and Yilin Press President Gu Aibin attended the launch ceremony.
