First editions for a new era

Cultural classics

The ancient classics continue to appeal to the global market. It was announced at the Frankfurt Book Fair that Illustrated Classics of Chinese Literature: Dream of the Red Chamber by Sun Wen during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and featuring illustrations by a contemporary of Cao Xueqin's will be published as a limited edition in Chinese, English, French and Italian by the China Youth Publishing Group.

The publishers say a total of 6,000 copies have already been preordered worldwide, with a retail value of over 250 euros ($275).

A print and audio version of Sunzi: The Art of War has been recently released by the Foreign Languages Press featuring Chinese, English and pinyin translations of the ancient texts.

The Renmin University Press is co-publishing an English-language title focusing on Chinese characters. Titled China in 100 Chinese Characters, the book explores the origins and stories behind 100 key Chinese characters and is due to be published by McGraw-Hill.

Historia de la Ceramica China, a new Spanish release in two volumes, by Fang Lili, focuses on the history of Chinese ceramics and its role in world history.

Fang took 17 years to complete the book in Chinese, examining the technology, symbolism and social organization behind the pots, plates and heavy earthenware originating in China over the centuries.

Contemporary Chinese writing is another hot ticket item in global publishing. Yilin Press spent four years translating eight novels and promoting them in Turkey, by key Chinese authors including Yu Hua, Su Tong and Ye Zhaoyan.

Focusing instead on Chinese science fiction, the UK's Flame Tree Publishing has inked a cooperation deal with the People's Literature Publishing House, whereby the two publishers will set a theme, and contribute science fiction stories from writers from both countries, with the aim of publishing a collection in both Chinese and English for the two markets.