Overview of China (Concise Edition) is an all-media, digital textbook on China’s national conditions for learners at home and abroad, featuring the characteristics of the new era and introducing China from various perspectives, including politics, economy, culture, society and ecological civilization. The book covers a wide range of topics, including geography, politics, economy, history, culture, etc. The selection and presentation of materials focus more on the present and the future, especially the inclusion of the “Belt and Road” policy, new economic patterns, new development concepts, new development patterns, etc., which can help learners to understand the present China, as well as foster humanistic exchanges and cross-cultural comparisons. In terms of writing strategy, this book is more interesting and storytelling than the general edition, presenting the originally specialized and conceptualized elaborations in a more life-like way and in a relaxed and lively language. At the same time, the book includes learning objectives at the beginning of each chapter, a warm-up video before each lesson, extensions and exercises at the end of the lesson, and  Pinyin for important words, which facilitates learners to consolidate what they have learned and carry out independent learning.

Ning Jiming (Editor-in-Chief) is a PhD in Economics, professor and PhD supervisor. His research mainly focuses on language economy, communication theory, education policy, Confucius Institutes and international Chinese language education. Professor Ning is currently the director of the Center for Language and Cultural Communication of Shandong University, and the deputy director of the National Research Centre for New Liberal Arts Education. Besides, he was once a member of Dean of the College of International Education at Shandong University, a member of the National Supervisory Committee for Master’s degree in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages, and the Executive Director of the International Society for Chinese Language Teaching.

He has presided over a number of national, provincial and ministerial projects and cultural heritage and innovation projects, edited the Research Report on International Chinese Language Education and the Confucius Institute Research Annual Report, published the Insights into Chinese Culture, Life-Customs-Art: General Knowledge of Chinese Excellent Traditional Culture, and dozens of academic papers in Literature, History and Philosophy and other journals. Professor Ning was awarded the First Prize of National Teaching Achievements, the Cultural Innovation Award of Shandong Province, and the Special Prize of Teaching Achievements of Shandong University.

Complete system. The overall framework is logically strict (based on the logical structure of the General Edition, which was completed in 2013, as the outline), taking into account the special needs of overseas learners. Through a systematic, objective and accurate introduction, it meets the learners’ desire for a comprehensive understanding of China’s national conditions, and presents a real, three-dimensional and comprehensive China from multiple perspectives.

Precise content. The selection and presentation of materials take into account both the past and the present, showing the new profile of contemporary China and reflecting the new concepts of China’s construction. Moreover, the involved facts and index data are all based on authoritative official information.

Readability. The content of texts is selected with a combination of points and details. The language is concise and easy to understand. The difficulty of the words used is based on Level 4 of the Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education, so as to control the volume of the content. The language style is friendly and natural, and the story is narrated in an easy-to-understand manner.

Scientific style. It’s easy for teachers to get started quickly by adopting progress-focused design and lesson plan-formed presentation.

Elaborated binding. The book is richly illustrated, with harmonious and fashionable colours, scientific and sophisticated layout design, focusing on the visual experience of learners to enhance the learning experience.

Complete supporting materials. In order to match the use of paper textbooks, electronic courseware (PPT), warm-up video text and other supporting resources are launched simultaneously to create user-friendly three-dimensional teaching materials.

This textbook can be used as a teaching book for relevant overseas courses or compulsory courses on “Overview of China” for international students in Chinese universities, and as a reading book for learners from different countries to understand Chinese culture and national conditions.

Teachers can independently choose to teach some chapters according to the interests of learners and the actual teaching situation such as the total number of class hours, and it is recommended that the length of each teaching section be 2 class hours. Teachers can either use the method of “knowledge teaching + class discussion + task activities”, or take the textbook as a guide and adopt teaching modes such as flipped class and blended teaching to explore more teaching methods.

If conditions permit, it is recommended to organize study tours of Chinese society and culture to deepen students’ understanding and experience of what they have learned in the process of practice.