Photo: Zhang Mingyue/Global Times

A forum focusing on a new book co-published by publishers in China and Poland was held at Renmin University of China (RUC) in Beijing on Sunday to discuss the cultural exchanges between China and countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). 

Concise History of Chinese Economy is a two-volume book written by RUC economics professor He Yaomin. The English version of the book was published by Adam Marszałek Publishing House, an established Polish publisher.

This international collaboration is seen as an "opportunity" that allows overseas readers to "read real Chinese stories," said Adam Marszałek, the Polish publisher's founder and president. 

Some 700,000 words in length, the book is a dedicated examination of ­China's economic evolution as well as an introduction to its cultural history.  

Wu Shulin, chairman of the Publishers Association of China, emphasized the "cultural and historical role" it has played in telling Chinese stories to the world. 

Marszałek told the Global Times his publishing house has been cooperating with China Renmin University Press for more than 20 years by now to promote books on Chinese culture and society. 

"We are always open to possibilities for more topics," Marszałek noted, adding that the publisher aims to engage a wider selection of readers, not only just scholars. 

Poland's participation in the BRI has encouraged the Polish publisher to look forward to promoting Chinese stories to other BRI countries covered in its marketing landscape. The publisher has been in contact with many countries dotting the BRI landscape such as Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Marszałek said that informing these countries about aspects such as China's political, economic and cultural landscape has been considered his publishing house's expertise. 

"Western countries like the US cannot believe China's progress and development," Marszałek noted, adding that collaborating with BRI countries on publishing can help the world see a real China.