China, entering its second year in the World Trade Organization, is
preparing to open up the book, newspaper and magazine distribution
sectors in Chongqing, Ningbo, and all provincial capitals on the
mainland, taking an important step towards fulfilling its WTO
commitments.
Liu Binjie, deputy director of the General Administration of Press
and Publications, said publication of new regulations authorizing
the entry of overseas investment into the distribution market was
planned.
The new regulations would feature equal entry into the market for
investment from both home and abroad, specific application
procedures, improved market supervision and penalties, and the
policy on promoting non-state-owned bookstores.
Chen Yizhuo, director of Chongqing Press and Publications Bureau,
said overseas investment could provide logistics services in China,
adopting chain operations, and invest in giant printing
enterprises, but with an investment cap.
Distribution groups could assimilate overseas investment as well
and become joint-stock companies. Liu emphasized that China would
follow the practice of the majority of WTO members in opening up,
but would allow no overseas investment in the editing sector.
Since the 1990s, the Chinese domestic news and publication industry
has developed rapidly. China has a total of 2,100 newspapers, 8,800
periodicals and an annual publication of over 100,000 titles of
books. The industry employs over one million people and ranks
fourth among the pillar industries.
Over the years, a diversified investment and management pattern has
formed. Private publication distribution businesses on the mainland
number over 40,000, with a market share of about 50 percent,
excluding textbooks from the state-owned sector's business. Over 60
overseas companies have set up offices on the mainland to invest in
the publication distribution business.
The opening-up policy may bring challenges to the publications
industry. "We are under great pressure," said Wang Huaguang, of
Sichuan People's Publishing House, adding that foreign publishing
giants were more experienced in distribution and management.
Li
Cheng, an independent bookseller, said lack of money and expertise
were also problems.
In
response, China is planning to foster a number of state-owned
distribution groups, giant publications enterprises with chain
operations and modern logistics services to improve its market
competitiveness.
Chongqing has set a good example. Aiming at a better operational
mechanism, it has founded a newspaper and distribution group, while
the publication group and broadcasting and television group is
underway.
To
create a better environment for investors from home and abroad, the
government has revised laws and regulations on copyright and
publication and has rectified irregularities in the publications
distribution sector.
The government is also taking measures to increase awareness of
copyright. Training sessions on the regulations and WTO knowledge
are offered in large and medium-sized enterprises.
Meng Ling, deputy director of Chongqing Copyright Protection
Center, said, "It is a demanding work. We still have a long way to
go, but we are confident."
(Xinhua News Agency February 1, 2003)