(China Press and Publication Journal,,journalist Wang Yumei)As an important part of its Guest of Honor events, China has made phased progress on the Translation and Publication Project for the 2009 Frankfurt Book Fair (hereafter referred to as Translation Project). According to the General Administration of Press and Publication, the project sponsor, 40% of the 114 titles selected have been translated, ready for edition or already published, with the joint efforts of domestic and international publishers. The English and German editions of these books are planned to be exhibited and sold to global readers and publishers during the book fair.

To introduce Chinese culture to Germany and other parts of the world through one of the world’s most important cultural shows, China’s Guest of Honor Organizing Committee for 2009 Frankfurt Book Fair launched the Translation Project at the beginning of the year, with an executive board later founded. Out of over 700 titles recommended by domestic and German presses, 114 have been selected for the project after expert reviews, including Wolf Totem, Brothers, I'm Liu Yuejin and other bestsellers in China as well as A History of Chinese Culture and The History of Chinese Printing, etc in professional fields. The selected books cover extensive categories such as children’s, science & technology, social sciences & philosophy, literature and education. Literary books take the largest share (25%) and 80% of them are contemporary works. A project executive said, “To meet international market demands, we have strengthened our cooperation with oversea cultural organizations in preparing the book list, and invited many experts for evaluation. The selected books mirror China’s political, economic, technological, cultural and social achievements during the 30 years of reform and opening-up, and cater to the international readers’ tastes.” Ms. Deng, an editor from Guangzhou-based Flower City Publishing House noted that, government sponsorship has helped to cover the costly translation fees and other expenses so that excellent Chinese books could be launched in the German market. It also provides a great chance for readers in Germany and other countries to understand the vast diversity of Chinese culture. One of the Publishing House’s books, the English edition of Wait for the Soul by Li Peifu is included into the Translation Project’s book list.

In addition to German presses, some reputed publishers in US, UK, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore among other countries also take part in the project. Chinese presses will also publish books in German or English on their own.

Promotion for the Translation Project has been launched in Augsburg, Munich, Berlin and Frankfurt. Since this April, German readers would have the chance to participate in a reading event and the writers whose books are translated and published for the project would be there to read their books. During April and May, Qin Wenjun and other Chinese writers were introduced to German readers. In June, Chi Zijian, Bi Shumin and Liang Ping will be present in the reading event. October will expect even more celebrities and themed activities. Among others, Yu Hua, an internationally renowned Chinese writer, and German Sinologist Dr. Ulrich Kautz will hold a dialogue about Chinese contemporary literature in Germany…

A series of Chinese book promotion events will be launched before and after the Book Fair. Books to be introduced include Chinese books, their German or English translation and those China-themed books published by oversea presses. These books will be sold in two large chain book stores in Germany.