Some influential literary journals in China are publishing their electronic editions on the web to attract young web surfers.

Any Internet browser can easily find homepages of "Xinhua Digest", "Writer Digest", "China Writer", "Novel Monthly", " October", and "Harvest", the most prestigious Chinese literature periodicals in China.

Mengya, or Burgeonings, was among the earliest owners of a homepage. Early this year, the editorial department established its own website (www.mengya.online.sh.cn), providing readers with selected novels and a chat room hosted by Chen Cun, a famous writer.

The Chinese Writers' Association also started a website (www. jrzj.com.cn), through which on-line visitors can read works of Chinese literary masters such as Lao She, Ba Jin, Xiao Qian and Ding Ling.

Called "Today's Writer", the website has links with other sites such as "People's Literature" and "October".

The Chinese Writers' Association said that the on-line literary journals will attract many more readers.

Literary journals always show new literary trends in China. But many writers complain that there are few outlets for the works.

Mengya's editor-in-chief Zhao Changtian said that being on-line benefits both readers and the editorial department.

A Toronto on-line book store covers some 50 Chinese literary periodicals at its website: www.dragonsource.com.