On the evening of April 23, the World Book and Copyright Day, the results of “China Good Books in 2021” selected by China Book Review Society were announced, with 42 books included. Receding White Horse, a novel published by Beijing October Art & Literature Publishing House under Beijing Publishing Group (BPG), and Peace Letters, a novel published by Beijing October Art & Literature Publishing House and Flower City Publishing House, were granted the title of “China Good Books in 2021.”

On the Paper and The Lost City published by Beijing October Art & Literature Publishing House and Lu Xun – Man and His Works published by Beijing Children’s Publishing House were shortlisted.A total of 16 books published by BPG have been listed as “China Good Books” over the past nine years since the event was launched in 2014.

Written by Zhu Xiuhai, a famous military writer, Receding White Horse is a military literary work with substance and insight. In writing the novel, Zhu interviewed more than 130 historical witnesses in 11 provinces and municipalities directly under the Central Government.

Set in the China’s War of Liberation (1946–1949), the novel successfully characterizes a batch of selfless and fearless CPC members who have firm convictions in their beliefs. The vividly written novel is an ode to the heroes who carry forward the great Party-building spirit.

From a clear and objective literary perspective, Zhu Xiuhai examines and describes the complexity and reality of history, and the kindness and loftiness of human nature. He accurately and appropriately depicts the scenes, plots and details of warfare and battlefield, and portrays a lot of lifelike people who face different fates.

Peace Letters is a novel by Chen Jiming, a well-known writer. From a seemingly insignificant perspective, it depicts the stories of the businessmen from Chaozhou and Shantou who ventured into the southeast Asian countries. It sets an example of writing readable Chinese stories.

The novel describes the culture of “Fan Ke” (literally, “foreigners”, referring to the Chinese residing abroad), which is specific to Chaozhou and Shantou in Guangdong Province and the southern region in Fujian Province. What bonded these “Fan Ke” with their hometown was peace letters, or correspondence between them and their relatives in hometown. With peace letters as the medium, the novel gives a to-the-point description of the spiritual world of Fan Ke in the 100 years of vicissitudes, especially the patriotism of these Fan Ke who value love, friendship, duties, motherland and hometown.

Chen Jiming said, “In my eyes, the people from Chaozhou and Shantou are the ‘enhanced version’ of the Chinese people when it comes to their character: hardworking, honest, trustworthy, low-key and modest. They strive to establish themselves in the world with a desperate fighting spirit. Whenever they earn money, they would lose no time in sending the money back home. They would sooner or later return to their hometown if they acquire wealth and power. Such a character reflects what is inherent in the Chinese people and what is learned from experiences and realities.”

Peace Letters tells the stories of Zheng Mengmei, the protagonist who makes a living by running the business about letters and remittances from and to Chinese emigrants. In the novel, the Chinese businessmen keep their promises, observe their duties, and never forget their motherland as well as hometown. The colorful details and true-to-life portrayal of the characters in the novel explain what have made the Chinese people, including those from Chaozhou and Shantou, become who they are.

Books published by BPG on the List of “China Good Books” over the years: