Since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak in China, Doctor Zhang Wenhong who heads the Department of Infectious Diseases at Fudan-Huashan Hospital in Shanghai, has been an authoritative figure in directing virus control within the city. Soon his influence has begun to be felt across China. And when overseas medical experts seek knowledge and experience from China, Zhang is usually the first person they turn to.
In Late March, Zhang published a book titled “COVID-19: From Basics to Clinical Practice” as an e-book and then worked with Fudan University Press to publish the book in paperback and in multiple languages.
Thanks to the hard work of translators and editors in the past two months as well as the generous 250,000 yuan donation from Morningside Foundation, a charitable organization, the overseas editions of the book were eventually released on June 5 by World Scientific Publishing Company and Royal Collins Publishing Group.
Zhang Wenhong (3rd from left) and other dignitaries are at the launch ceremony of the English, French and Spanish editions of Zhang’s book, held in the medical library of Fudan-Shanghai Medical College, on June 5.
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| English Edition | | French Edition | | Spanish Edition |
The book COVID-19: From Basics to Clinical Practice elaborates on the epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19, its genome and molecular structure, immunology and vaccines, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment at home and abroad. It also discusses some of the most concerned issues such as staff protection and virus control within hospitals, and includes the Shanghai 2019 Comprehensive Treatment of COVID-19 Expert Consensus formed by Shanghai COVID-19 Clinical Treatment Expert Group.
At the ceremony, Fudan University Press donated paperback books in four languages (Chinese included) to Shanghai Library and Fudan University Library.
Guest speakers gave their best wishes to the launch of the foreign-language editions of the book.
Zhang Wenhong, Director, Department of Infectious Diseases at Fudan-Huashan Hospital and author of the book COVID-19: From Basics to Clinical Practice
“I appreciate the work of all translators for spreading our thoughts and experience to the rest of the world. We are not trying to educate others but to tell them what we have done and hope it can be used as a reference. We are continuing to learn more about the disease. I believe the global pandemic will come to an end sooner or later.”
Weng Xinhua, former director of Department of Infectious Diseases at Fudan-Huashan Hospital and chief proofreader of the book COVID-19: From Basics to Clinical Practice
“I am glad that this book is able to benefit the whole world, that so many young infectious diseases doctors have participated in its writing process, and that the Department of Infectious Diseases at Huashan Hospital is developing so well.”
Gui Yonghao, Executive Vice President of Fudan University and Dean of Fudan-Shanghai Medical College
“Through collaborating with overseas publishing groups, Chinese scholars engage themselves in the global frontline against the pandemic. The book is important in that it shares virus-fighting experience and strategies of Chinese scientists and makes their voices heard amid this fight.”
Xu Zheng, Vice Chancellor of University Council and President of Fudan University Education Development Foundation
“We had medical experts, translators, students and citizens across the world helping us with the publication. All efforts that led to the publication of the book in multiple languages exemplifies internationalism. It is a great endeavor of everyone involved trying to build a global community with shared future for mankind.”
Jiang Fusheng, Director of Publishing, Department of Publicity, Shanghai Municipal Government
“Granting the book’s copyright to overseas publishers will benefit the global pandemic fight. I hope Fudan University Press can grasp this momentum and publish more medical books by gathering the strong medical resources of the city and particularly that of Fudan University.”
Yan Feng, Board Chair, Fudan University Press
“Doctor Zhang Wenhong assured us that COVID-19 could be overcome as long as we followed the rules of science at a time when we were deeply scared and worried. And for that reason, we are keen to spread his voice to the rest of the world.”
Chen Chao, Chief Librarian, Shanghai Library
“Shanghai Library is willing to continue our partnership with Fudan University Library and Fudan University Press on promoting Chinese books overseas, and through book reading, contribute our part to building a global community with shared future for mankind.”
Ying Jun, Deputy Chief Librarian of Fudan University Library and Chief Librarian of Fudan Medical Library
“We are grateful for Doctor Zhang Wenhong’s book donations and we are doing our best to offer high-quality books on scientific research and education. Let the legacy of Fudan-Shanghai Medical College be passed down to future generations.”
Overseas publishing collaborators sent their wishes on videos.
Phua Kok Khoo, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief, World Scientific Publishing
Photo source: https://www.worldscientific.com/page/about/corporate-profile-KKPhua
“We are very happy to publish the English edition of the book COVID-19: From Basics to Clinical Practice. This book is very interesting because it covers current topics and also lets the English community know about the research and education of COVID-19 in Asia, particularly in China. This book in English is very important, because in the West, not many people know about the publishing industry in China, as I believe 95% or even more publications in China are mostly in Chinese language. So I hope that by publishing more English edition of books about China, it will be very useful and will bridge the gap between the East and West. ”
Mohan K Kalsi, Chairman, Royal Collins Publishing Group
Photo source: CCTV 13 interview
“It is a great honor to cooperate with Fudan University Press and publish COVID-19: From Basics to Clinical Practice in Spanish and French. This is a great book. It can save many lives if we can publish it in many languages and launch it earlier. From February 2020 to now, Fudan University Press has done a great job. In a short time, Fudan has organized 26 translators from the world to finish the French and Spanish editions. This is a miracle. We are proud to help Fudan publish French and Spanish editions of the book. Before that, we had published Zhang’s book in Hindi. This is a good example of cultural exchange between Belt-and-Road countries. We appreciate the great effort by Fudan and our translators and editors. May God bless the world and bring us victory.”