By Wang Ke
China.org.cn staff reporter

Former Minister of China's State Council Information Office, Zhao Qizheng, launched his new book Dialogue Between Nations at the Beijing International Book Fair on September 3.

The book comprises 35 of Zhao's speeches and dialogues dating back to 1998. The articles share a theme of public diplomacy and cross-cultural communication and include case studies of how China has been presented to the world, analyses of international exchanges, and dialogues with renowned international figures.

Zhao told China.org.cn: "I hope that through my book, our overseas friends can gain a better understanding of China."

As spokesman for the Chinese government, Zhao has, in the past, addressed a wide range of topics including China's relations with the U.S., Japan and Russia, links between the Chinese and Jewish peoples, and Pudong's economic development.

His latest book exhibits his passion, knowledge, and forthright, open attitude, and conveys China's fundamental tenets of peaceful coexistence, equal exchange with other nations, and active engagement with the international community.

The book includes in-depth discussions with Shimon Peres, US religious leader Luis Palau, former Time Warner CEO Richard Parsons, and famous Japanese anchorman, Souichiro Tahara.

International media have tagged Zhao "China's Top PR Spokesman," "China's top Orator" and "China's Image Polisher." The New York Times once wrote: "Mr. Zhao is one of a new generation of urbane Chinese officials… Western diplomats have been uniformly impressed by his relative openness."

After his spell as minister, Zhao became dean of the school of journalism, Renmin University of China, and was appointed spokesman for the Second Session of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.