Earlier this year, William N. Brown, a Xiamen University Professor originally from the United States, received a very special letter – from none other than President Xi Jinping!

Penned in response to Brown's book, "Off the Wall: How We Fell for China," a compilation of his private letters written to family and friends over the course of 30 years in China, the president was full of praise for the professor's lifetime of dedication to the cause of promoting education in China.

William N. Brown and his family in China [Photo/CGTN]

But as well as being an important eyewitness of three decades of change, the book is also a milestone for its publisher, Foreign Languages Press.

For nearly 70 years now, this world-famous publishing house has been promoting Chinese literature across the globe. For example, as of 2016, over 140 multilingual editions of "A Dream of Red Mansions" have been published, as well as countless foreign language editions of Chinese classics covering everything from poetry to acupuncture and moxibustion.

Few institutions rival the Foreign Languages Press in its commitment to telling Chinese stories and spreading Chinese ideas and culture.

Publications of Foreign Language Press [Photo/CGTN]

Important though the task of opening China's storehouse of literary treasures to the wider world is, showcasing the achievements of modern-day China is no less important. That's one big reason why the Foreign Languages Press chose to take on William Brown's new book.

Written from the perspective of a U.S. expat with 30 years of experience in a country in transition amid the reform and opening-up era, it's a book bursting with insights into the years that forged the go-ahead country that we see today.

To find out more about the story behind the publishers determined to literally put China on the front page and at the center stage, join us for "A Cover Photo of China" on CGTN Documentary!