On October 17th, during the Frankfurt Book Fair, the English version of “The Power of Datafication,” part of the “Chinese Entrepreneurs Series,” was officially launched. This book, authored by Guo Wei, Chairman of Digital China, encapsulates over 30 years of industry experience.
The English edition is being represented by the China National Publications Import and Export Corporation, underlining its significance as a key achievement within the “Chinese Entrepreneurs Series.” It has been published by the UK-based LID Publishing Group.
During the launch event, Zhao Haiyun, Deputy Director and Senior Inspector of the General Administration of Press and Publication of China, emphasized that “The Power of Datafication” integrates the development accomplishments of Digital China, the outstanding international communication capabilities of China Publishing Group, and the professional standards of the LID Publishing Group. He noted that the book serves as an important example of deepening interaction between Chinese enterprises and the international community. He expressed hope that this publication would facilitate the global spread of exemplary Chinese corporate culture, creating new opportunities for cooperation and vibrant cultural exchange.
Wu Pengfei, Deputy Consul General of the Chinese Consulate in Frankfurt, remarked that “The Power of Datafication,” as Guo Wei’s first major work in the field of digitalization, embodies the wisdom of Chinese entrepreneurs and showcases the achievements of China’s information technology sector. He expressed confidence that the English publication will help German and global readers understand the stories of Chinese entrepreneurs in the digitalization arena, thereby enhancing communication between Chinese companies and the world.
Claudia Kaiser, Deputy General Manager of the Frankfurt Book Fair, looked forward to more exceptional books utilizing the fair as a platform for publishing and exchange activities.
In his address, Guo Wei clarified his viewpoint on digitalization, stating that it is distinct from mere informatization. He highlighted the recent recognition of AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton with the Nobel Prize in Physics, noting that he is only the second scholar, following Herbert Simon, to win both the Turing Award and the Nobel Prize. This underscores the advent of the digital age, where “Datafication” becomes a new form of productive force by transforming and upgrading all industries through digital technology, accumulating data assets, and replacing traditional assets with data-driven growth.
Zhang Hong, Deputy General Manager of the China Publishing Group, added that this book represents a significant outcome of the “Chinese Entrepreneurs Series.” The China Publishing Group will continue to collaborate with China National Publications Import and Export Corporation on translation and publication projects surrounding Guo Wei’s latest work, aiming to enhance the brand’s impact and showcase Chinese entrepreneurial insights and strategic vision to international audiences, contributing to global economic development.
At the event, the signing ceremony for Guo Wei’s next book, “The Power of Time,” took place concurrently, and China National Publications Import and Export Corporation established a strategic partnership with LID Publishing Group. Additionally, a roundtable discussion was held on the theme “Digitalization: A Global Perspective and Chinese Stories,” where guests shared insights on the core concepts of the book, narratives of Chinese digitalization, and the global interest in China’s digital stories from various perspectives, including hands-on practices of Chinese enterprises and the relevance of these narratives to European readers. Guo Wei also held a book signing session for attendees.
The Chinese edition of “The Power of Datafication” was published in June 2022. It creatively introduces the AI-driven strategy of data-cloud integration and presents a unique perspective that the digital era signifies not just the second half of industrial civilization but a brand new beginning for civilization. The book has earned several prestigious literary awards and has sold nearly 100,000 copies to date.
