Press Release
October 2007

CHINA'S GROWING MARKET FOR PUBLISHERS
Global Publishers Alliance represents publishers at Beijing International Book Fair

Contact:
John Eames
480-966-3998
john@eamesliterary.com

It is no great secret that the changing face of the Chinese economy has created new opportunities for trade with the West, but many Christian publishers may not be aware that there has been a relative loosening of government restrictions on the introduction of Christian content into China. In order to maximize the potential of this favorable turn of events, each year Global Publishers Alliance (GPA) represents Christian publishers at the Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF). This year’s fair, held August 30-September 3, provided ample evidence of the growing possibilities for Christian publishers in China.

Titles from 17 Evangelical Christian Publishers Alliance (ECPA) member houses and one guest were displayed in the GPA Exhibit at the 14th annual Beijing International Book Fair, which, according to one source in a Publishers Weekly press release “…is now considered by many as one of the top four international book fairs in the world.” Exhibiting publishers and a cohort of Chinese translators filled two conference tables. In addition to the exhibit space in the convention hall, GPA hosted a luncheon and an afternoon of table-top space for American publishers to meet with the approximately 40 Chinese publishers plus press in attendance.

GPA’s collaborator for the week, ZDL Books, organized a half-day series of business-related seminars for the ECPA member houses present at BIBF. The discussions were led by publishers, retailers, and an attorney. “We enjoyed a morning of important and timely updates on the development of the retail side of the business in China and the steady improvements in enforcement of intellectual property protection,” reported GPA President and CEO John Eames. “We were surrounded on all sides with evidence of the robust growth of the market for English language religious content in China.”

The numbers are encouraging. The American Collective Stand--representing a wide range of American publishers and related entities--doubled its space, added 10 new houses and reported a growth in the number of represented titles to 450, an impressive increase over the 150 titles at the 2006 event. In addition to the face-to-face visits that took place at the fair, the ECPA publishers who exhibited have received 132 requests from 43 visiting Chinese publishers for review copies, availability, and other information about titles on display.

“For Christian publishers with a vision for missions, the Chinese market is worth exploring,” says Eames. “There is a great opportunity to reach this mission field now, while we have an open window. And for publishers willing to commit resources, there is an added incentive—the possibility of a strong business upside in the future.”

A theme which is repeated over and over is the relational aspect of doing business in China. In the words of one attendee, “Don’t come to China once and expect to do any deals.” The Chinese will not rush into making deals. The key to doing business is long and lasting relationships.