Development of the Press

China's first newspaper, East-West Chronicle of Events, was published by a German missionary in 1866. In the ensuing 50 years, nearly 300 newspapers were printed by foreign businessmen and missionaries. Most of them were in Chinese language. The most famous was the Shen Bao, founded in 1872 in Shanghai. The outbreak of the May 4 Movement in 1919 gave birth to a large number of progressive newspapers.

In 1950, there were 205 newspapers in China which printed more than 400 million copies altogether. In the 1980s, China's newspapers were diversified to meet different needs. Some target a specific group, such as farmers, workers, entrepreneurs, while others focus on a specific topic, such as economics or business. Statistics of 1998 showed that there were 2,053 newspapers published in China.

Some newspapers merged to form news groups. On June 8, 1998, Guangming Daily and Economic Daily formed their own groups, the first two national news groups. On July 25, the Shanghai-based Wen Hui Bao and Xinmin Evening News formed a united group. These marked a milestone in the development of the news industry in China.

Of the numerous periodicals published in China, many are devoted to science and technology. In 1998, China had 4,362 kinds of scientific and technological magazines, accounting for 55 percent of the country's total periodicals. Each year, these journals publish 260,000 papers, many listed in international index systems. Computer technology is being increasingly applied in the publishing industry.

Development of Publishing Undertakings

China has a long history of publishing; in fact, China is the inventor of paper-making and printing. In modern times, however, its publishing industry has fallen behind the West. Prior to the 1960s, most of China's publishing houses were either in Beijing or Shanghai. Most provinces had only one publishing house for printing books for local consumption. After December 1979, when a national conference on regulating the publishing industry was held, local publishing businesses flourished. According to the statistics available in 1998, there were 566 publishing houses throughout China, putting out 130,613 titles of book. At the same time, Beijing and Shanghai continue to play a leading role in the country's publishing business.

In the 1990s, China's publishing industry boomed as a result of the country's switch from a planned to a market economy. Demand has been growing, and the regulatory mechanism has matured.

Between 1990-1997, the State Council and the State News and Publication Administration, the country's top regulator for the industry, has promulgated 245 regulations on the publishing of books, newspapers and audio-visual products. Local authorities have also formulated rules for straightening out the market. Today, a comprehensive regulatory framework is in place to regulate all kinds of publishing, printing, copying and distribution -- from books to newspapers, periodicals, audio-video products and electronic publications. The powers of the regulatory departments at all levels have been clearly defined.

To meet the growing needs of the public for quality publications, China plans to publish 1,200 kinds of books in the next few years. Of these, 353 will be on social sciences, 299 on natural sciences and technology, and 181 on literature and arts. For the first time in the history of the People's Republic, the central authorities for the nation's publishing industry are planning popular literature, popular science, and children's books.

The government has adopted a series of measures to encourage the development of the publishing industry. One of those measures is the establishment of the National Award for Book Publishing. Another is the formation of publishing funds and preferential policies to boost the self-sustainability of publishers.