China Book International reaches new heights

Over the course of a decade, China Book International (CBI), a project seeking ways to help promote Chinese books abroad, has boosted the international appeal of Chinese books and has made it possible for foreign audiences to read more about the transforming country.

In 2013 alone, CBI supported the copyright trade of 3,754 Chinese titles to the foreign market, according to Cui Yuying, vice director of State Council Information Office at the 10th annual meeting of CBI members in Shenyang, Liaoning province, on Thursday.

CBI reached 78 agreements with 40 publishers from 28 countries to publish Chinese books in 19 languages in 2013, Cui said. Its sister project, China Translation International has reached eight agreements with eight international publishers in five languages.

"In the recent decade, the country's development and its increasing important role in international community offer favorable opportunities for China to attract a global audience for its publications," Cui said. "We've developed a sound mode to achieve the goal."

After years of trial runs, CBI has formed a system that combines governmental support with publishing business efforts as players within the international book market.