Sales of English books increasing in China

In a sign of English taking roots in China, readers in the communist nation were increasingly preferring foreign books in English language rather than their translated versions - boosting the sales of original books.

The growing popularity of English books in China was described as a "surge" by Zhao Wei, publisher at a Beijing- based international publishing house.

Zhao said her publishing house witnessed a double in sales volume in China, declining to reveal the exact number.

According to other publishers based in Beijing and Shanghai, the "surge" has mainly occurred in sales of textbooks, children's books, travel books and novels.

"Our retail sales of English books and other media at Shanghai Book Fair totalled USD 98,000 in 2011. Last year, we exceeded one million yuan and expect to witness another increase this year," said Lang Jin, manager of sales at the Shanghai branch of China National Publications Import and Export (Group) Corporation.

The sharp increase during the week-long book fair reflects the bigger picture of the English book market, Lang was quoted as saying by state-run Xinhua news agency.

"Chinese people are attracted to the original version of English books, many of which first reached Chinese readers after being translated into Chinese," said Gu Bin, general manger of Shanghai Book Traders company.

With increased income and more English language education, more Chinese people are able to read the books in English, Gu said.

English-language teaching materials have increased with the development of international schools, analysts said.

Additionally, some EMBA and MBA courses require original books, Gu told Xinhua.
"Foreign children's books emphasise cultivating children's abilities via games or tasks, or telling truths through vivid stories, and Chinese parents welcome this," Lang said.

Better logistics have also increased sales in remote areas like Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Tibet Autonomous Region, said Zhao Wei.

"When physical bookstores dominated, English books used to be available only in the biggest cities like Beijing and Shanghai.

However, with China opening its book imports after joining the WTO, plus the growth of online sales, readers in remote areas can get their books by clicking," Zhao said.