IN DEPTH


Market spotlight China


POLICY MEANS SALES OF KIDS’ BOOKS IN THE REGION ARE


THE RELAXATION OF CHINA’S ONE-CHILD


EXPECTED TO SURGE


China market couples huge opportunity with fierce competition


China is the leading nation in terms of growth in exhibitor numbers at the Frankfurt Book Fair—again. Some of the domestic market’s major players explain its vast potential—and its many challenges


Written by Natasha Onwuemezi


T


he biggest challenge facing Chinese publishers is one that Western publishers also have to grapple with: that of increased competition, not just from other publishers but also “new media”, such as apps. As an emerging market with a large and ever-growing population, the potential and opportunit in China is great, but in this new market, Chinese publishers are having to up their game.


Citic Press Corporation, which describes itself as “one of the most powerful, dynamic houses in China”, publishes around 1,300 books a year, and last year made ¥20bn (£2.25bn) in profit. It publishes a range of titles, from busi- ness, to arts, to self-help, and cites its biggest challenge as competition from new media. Branding director Jennifer Yan said: “For us, the new media is a challenge because online anybody can publish without cost, or produce audiobooks and videos. For example, they can invite authors and celebrities to talk and publish their ideas without [needing to do so in the form of] a book.” To counter this, the publisher is trying to entice readers Continues overleaf 


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