Surge in local demand for imported books

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Surge in local demand for imported books

(CNTV) 08:40, August 19, 2013

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Exhibitors have brought more than 45,000 imported books to the Shanghai Book Fair, the largest number in its history. Booksellers say the demand for foreign-language book is steadily increasing.

Zhang Weiming has attended every Shanghai Book Fair since they began ten years ago. His store is one of only two exhibitors that sell imported books at the fair. He says this year, his company has brought 30 percent more imported books, including some best-sellers overseas.

"The book "A Song of Ice and Fire" has seven volumes. It has become popular because of a British TV drama with the same name. We brought 100 sets to the fair this time. In the past two days, we’ve already sold more than 30 sets," said Zhang Weiming.

Zhang says the book is as popular as he expected because it was already selling well before the fair at his store in downtown Huangpu District that specializes in imported books. He says the demand from Chinese readers is growing very fast, with year on year sales growth of 10 percent so far this year.

Publishing industry professionals told ICS they’re seeing a surge now in sales of Japanese-language books, although the two countries remain at odds over disputed islands. Two years ago, Zhang says his company sold 300,000 yuan worth of only English-language books at the fair. But when the company added Japanese-language books last year, sales jumped to one million yuan last year.

Zhang Weiming, imported books seller, said, "We will import books according to the demand of the Chinese market and recommendation of foreign publishing houses. But the most important thing is that when importing the books, we have to judge the contents. We are careful about that," said Zhang.

China does censor imported books, and bans any imported publication that contains pornography, encourages violence and crime, and propagates cults and superstition.

（Editor：LiQian、Ye Xin）