SGPAST

From Chinese Culture to Cultural China

Shanghai News Publishing Development Co., Ltd, a state-owned external publishing cultural business, was established in 1988. The company directly takes charge of the editing, publishing and releasing of foreign-language editions of the series Cultural China. In addition, it also offers value-added services to domestic and foreign cultural enterprises and conducts investment and investment management businesses in terms of news and publication. It has a strong focus on the value-added services of publishing, including the development and exploitation of new technology.

Over the past decade or so, the foreign language editions of the series Cultural China have gained recognition among global agents and overseas readers. In this time, more than 1.2 million books across 130 categories have been published in more than 10 languages. These books have introduced China from different perspectives and helped overseas English readers understand Chinese geography, historical customs as well as a variety of Chinese cultures, contributing to a greater understanding of Chinese culture worldwide and promoting engagement and cooperation among nations.

Picture: The Cultural China series in foreign-language edition exhibited at the special exhibition of the Civilization of the Qin and Han Dynasty in the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Building on its global sales and success, Shanghai News Publishing Development Co., Ltd continues to develop and promote a wide range of engagement activities related to its Chinese-themed books, such as the “Reading China” global joint exhibition at the Spring Festival each year.

The “Reading China” global exhibition at the Spring Festival in 2015 led to important discussions with the French communications company Lagardere Group. Following on from this, 100 highly renowned books for children were selected and exhibited in nearly 100 airport bookstores as part of a collaborative initiative.

Shanghai News Publication Development Co., Ltd. has developed a positive and fruitful relationship with Lagardere Group on a long-term basis. Since 2009, both parties have held a “Chinese culture festival” each year to exhibit foreign-language edition books. So far, 16 countries and regions have attended these events, which have seen the involvement 907 participating stores. Through initiatives such as the Chinese Spring Festival and the dissemination of Chinese books at book fairs and other events, a positive image of China and its culture has been shared around the world.

Picture: “Reading China” at the global Spring Festival exhibition of 2015