Robert Lawrence Kuhn (center) and editors from the Chinese publisher of the series show the English versions of the five books. Mei Jia / China Daily

"The five books reveal in various ways the secret of China's rise, the philosophy of the CPC, measures taken by the party in response to challenges and the party's resolve on anti-corruption," she said.

"We believe the series will help readers across the globe better understand contemporary China," she added.

The authors include many renowned scholars. They apply sound logic to reach the conclusion that the CPC will ultimately succeed in its goal of leading China to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

"I am confident that this book series - which comes in Chinese, English, French and German - will become a window for readers from other countries to learn about and understand China, that it will serve as a bridge for exchanges between the peoples and cultures of China and other countries and help promote mutual understanding and common development," Zhang said.

Wu Shangzhi, vice-minister of the state administration of press, publication, radio, film and television, echoed Zhang's sentiments, saying the English and other language editions will help foreign readers gain a better grasp of the CPC and China, and thereby develop a better understanding of China's peaceful development.

"The series explains well how the CPC led a country of 1.3 billion people to quickly realize its goal of modernization; analyzes the domestic and international challenges the CPC faces and how China is responding while adhering to Marxism and socialism with Chinese characteristics and full confidence in its path, theories and system; and depicts the primary and most core aspects of the philosophy, system and practice of governance.

"The key to understanding the real China is to understand the CPC," Wu said. "And this series of books exemplifies well the CPC's principles - that it was founded for the public good and that it exercises state power for the people, while revealing the CPC's resolution and aspiration to make China strong and prosperous," he said.

"In addition, the series provides simple and easy reading. The authors are all experts in CPC research. In order to provide readers a true image of the CPC, they focus on core issues and key priorities, explaining complex issues in simple yet vivid language."

The English editions are co-published by Foreign Language Press, which focuses on the international market, and Party Building Books Publishing House, which specializes in books on the CPC.

"The cooperation between the two sides in publishing the English, German and French versions of the series gives full play to their respective strengths in language and content. This cooperation is very exciting," said Wu.

zhengxin@chinadaily.com.cn