JOHANNESBURG, July 19 (Xinhua) -- A China-themed book show is taking place here in a bid to promote better understanding of the Chinese culture and development among South African people.

The 2018 China Book Exhibition in South Africa, being held in the University of Johannesburg, features more than 300 books, covering political, socioeconomic, cultural and other aspects of China. Among the books is "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China".

Addressing the opening ceremony of the book show on Tuesday, Wang Xiaohui, executive deputy head of the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), said the event would help the two nations improve mutual understanding.

Wang, who is also vice director of the Policy Research Office of the CPC Central Committee, expressed the hope that the books would help South African readers better understand Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as well as the historic achievements China has made during its 40 years of reform and opening-up.

Buti Manamela, South Africa's deputy minister of higher education and training, said the book show would help many South Africans know more about China.

"Although some citizens will not be able to visit China, we believe books play an important part in taking citizens to various destinations," he said at the opening ceremony. "Through books we can walk through the Great Wall of China and stand at the top of Table Mountain."

The book show also offers a digital library of 200 books on China that allows a round-the-clock lending service and online reading.