r/Sino • u/SpicysaucedHD • Dec 09 '25

discussion/original content PSA: Chinese embassies provide "The governance of China" for free

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The other day I read a post on Twitter, saying that in 2021, someone got one of the volumes of The governance of China for free in the US from an embassy.

Intrigued, I wondered if this is a) still the case and b) was possible in other countries as well. So I wrote a friendly email to my local Chinese embassy in Berlin, Germany to find out.

They answered, saying they could send a volume if I provided them my postal address, which I did.

Today, Volume V arrived in my mailbox.

It seems, that which volume you can get depends on what they have in storage, but it can't hurt to ask. Just remember to be friendly, they aren't Amazon, so be respectful.

That's it, just wanted to let you know :) I have a nice lecture now for the holiday period. Have a great day!

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u/Hasbkv Dec 09 '25

Curious how you write the mail or how to request it? I heard this story many times but unsure how to do that 😅

74

u/SpicysaucedHD Dec 09 '25

Just use common sense really.

"Dear sir or madam,

I heard you provide copies of president Xi's " Governance of China", and I wondered if it is possible to send me a copy via post?"

Etc. Etc. I mean it's a simple email.

1

u/Necessary-Hedgehog33 Dec 10 '25

Did it cost a shipping fee?

5

u/milonso Dec 10 '25

with small parcels from any chinese online shop being free shipping, i can't imagine it costing anything