Is China a Genuine Opportunity for Western Publishers?

In Discussion by Edward Nawotka

By Edward Nawotka Today’s lead story previews the Beijing International Book Fair, which opens Monday. In particular, we focus on the booming digital segment of this already $150bn book market. Over the past decade, Western publishers have been tentatively courting the Chinese market. Textbook collaborations are numerous, as are publications in the scientific, technical and medical fields. Trade publishers are …

Beijing International Book Fair: E-books and Digital Content Boost China’s $150bn Publishing Media Market (Update)

In Digital by Edward Nawotka

• The Beijing International Book Fair (August 30 through September 3) reflects China’s booming digital publishing business with 2,000 sq. meters of digital exhibits. • Sales of ebooks, downloaded games, apps and other digital content in China hit 80 billion RMB ($11.8 billion) in 2009. By Edward Nawotka UPDATED 8/29: Our initial statistical information stated that the $150bn applied exclusively to …

Bonus Material: Video Interviews from the Beijing International Book Fair

In Discussion by Edward Nawotka

BEIJING: Our colleague Thomas Minkus was on site last week at the Beijing International Book Fair and took the opportunity to interview a few of our esteemed colleagues from the global publishing community. Among those he spoke with were Jon Malinowski, president of the Combined Book Exhibit and PubMatch.org, discussing how he’s seen the BIBF evolve over the last five …

China Offers Ample Opportunities, Despite Global Gloom, Say Publishers

In Feature Articles by Guest Contributor

By Xing Daiqi BEIJING: The slogan of this week’s 16th Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF) is “To see what the world is reading.” But with China’s position as the engine of the global economy reinforced under the present financial crisis, the world is increasingly curious about what China is reading. Still, in spite of the economic downturn, more than half …

Bonus Material: Stats, Video and Images from the BIBF

In Discussion by Edward Nawotka

By Edward Nawotka The keynote speech of the Beijing International Publishing Forum (discussed in our lead article) was delivered by Wu Shulin, vice-minister for the General Administration for Press and Publications (GAPP). He cited numerous figures — as documented by Emma House, the UK Publishing Association’s International Director — which give a picture of the current state of Chinese publishing. …