Many of those at the launch yesterday -- a function limited to around 130 -- clamoured for several copies each of the 542-page book, Lee Kuan Yew's Memoirs -- 1923-1965, which is subtitled Trials On The Road To Independence.

A lucky few left with four or five copies each before the organisers started the rationing.

Demand for the book was so high that The Straits Times staff here were asked by several acquaintances where they could buy the book for their all their office staff, family and friends.

Mr Huang Qiuhai, manager of Xinhua Bookstore's Shanghai Distribution House, the book's distributor, told The Straits Times that he expected the memoirs to be well received in China because of Mr Lee's stature and the high rate of recognition among the Chinese people.

He said that the book would be promoted at the National Book Fair which opens today in Xi'an. More than 20,000 dealers from around the country are expected at the 12-day trade event, one of the largest for China's book industry.

"It's just coincidence that the launch takes place a day before the fair's opening. We'll have good publicity for the memoirs," he added.

The book is priced at 24.80 yuan (S$4.76) each, considered quite affordable by local standards. Thirty thousand copies were printed in the first run.

Mr Wang Guangying, a deputy chairman of the National People's Congress, or parliament, was the guest of honour at yesterday's hour-long ceremony.

Other VIPs included Singapore's ambassador to China, Brigadier-General (Retd) Chin Siat Yoon; Mr Chew Keng Juea, Singapore Press Holdings's group general manager of Chinese Newspapers and Newspaper Services; Mr Xie Hong, deputy editor-in-chief of the People's Daily; and Mr Guo Jiexin, president of the Foreign Languages Press, co-publisher of the book with Federal Publications and Lianhe Zaobao.

Mr Guo said: "There's great interest in this first volume of the Senior Minister's memoirs, but I believe the second volume to be published next year will attract even more interest because it tells how Singapore became successful and also deals with the Asian financial crisis."

Mr Xu Mingqiang, editor-in-chief of China's Foreign Languages Press said: "As a Chinese, I found the politics involving Malaysia too detailed. I'd have liked to read more personal things about Mr Lee himself."

The English-language edition of Mr Lee's memoirs, imported from Singapore, will also hit bookstores in Beijing and Shanghai soon.

It has received some publicity in the local media, such as the China Daily newspaper and China Radio International.

The memoirs were first launched in Singapore on Sept 16 in conjunction with Mr Lee's 75th birthday.