Should China take more of an initiative in creating its own voice in the international arena? How can we get our messages through? Why does China need to directly reach out to Western audiences? In this interview, China Daily talks with David Ferguson, honorary chief English editor of Foreign Languages Press CICG, recipient of the Chinese Government Friendship Award and the Special Book Award of China.

Starting out as a journalist in 2006 in China, Ferguson has been editing China's political works and contributing to China's external communication for more than 10 years. He participated in the translation of a series of government white papers and the book Xi Jinping: The Governance of China.

Recently he wrote the preface for a new publication titled My China Story: China in the Eyes of Foreign Youth. The book compiles the life stories of many young people, from different countries and varied walks of life, all coming to China and creating unique experiences of their own.

"As I looked through the book, I saw in almost every single individual something that we shared in common or something that I was interested in hearing more about," Ferguson said. "I think that demonstrates the value of a work like that."