Russian publishing house Ves Mir Publishers has released a book by Rashid Alimov, “The Silence of Two Giant Buddhas: A Tajik Diplomat’s China Notes” – a bilingual edition in Russian and Chinese. The author, a Tajik diplomat who headed his country’s embassy in China, shares his observations and reflections on East and Central Asia.
Rashid Alimov worked in China: he headed the Embassy of Tajikistan (2005–2015) and later the Secretariat of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (2016–2018).
“Those were years of very intensive diplomatic work, various meetings and trips – I travelled through practically the entire country. But at the same time, they were years of observation and, I would say, an inner discovery of the country,” Rashid Alimov said in an exclusive interview with TV BRICS.
His book grew out of personal notes, observations and reflections accumulated over the years he lived and worked in China. The essays combine the experience of a diplomat, the depth of a scholar and the lyricism of a writer. Readers can expect an unhurried yet highly precise conversation about China, Tajikistan, Central Asia and how understanding between civilisations emerges.
Oleg Zimarin, Director General of Ves Mir Publishers, noted in an interview with TV BRICS that Rashid Alimov’s book had received a positive response from a wide range of specialists.
“It is very important that this book, written by a Tajik author in Russian and endorsed by Chinese philologists, journalists, diplomats and ordinary people, was nevertheless published by a Russian publishing house, which acted as a connecting element in the chain of interaction between Russian, Chinese and Central Asian cultures,” Oleg Zimarin said.
The book features graphic illustrations by renowned Chinese painter Feng Yishu.