International approaches to Children’s Publishing in China discussed in webinar

Pakistan News & Features Services

The China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair (CCBF), with the collaboration of the US Department of Commerce, offered an online conference covering several aspects of children’s publishing in China. 

Kathy Kelly of the US Department of Commerce’s Commercial Service’s Global Publishing Team, spoke about the role their 30 specialists take in helping small, medium, and independent publishers who need international assistance; and helping larger publishers establish contacts, advocating on their behalf, and sorting out payment issues. 

Henan Sue, CEO of Beijing Ingenta Publishing Technology Limited offered several reasons why publishers should come to the China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair: increased income, reduced costs (by utilizing local suppliers, designers, and media companies), and increased influence (through media coverage and establishing relationships with the government.). 

“You’ll meet everybody, and most importantly, you’ll have the parents: Shanghai is currently the center of the best children’s education in China. Shanghai is also one of the best places to meet production and distribution suppliers, it’s very manufacturing based. You’ll also meet book designers and see the most beautiful books in China. Shanghai is the most fashionable city in China if your books are loved by Shanghai, they’ll be loved by all of China. And besides, we have China’s best food as well,” Sue explained. 

Linda Warfel, Vice President of Strategic Business Development for Scholastic Asia, discussed several challenges they faced in entering the Chinese market and what they did to become successful. 

Jessie Ness, from the US Patent and Trademark Office’s Office of Policy and External Affairs spoke about copyright issues under the intriguing title: “China: To Steal a Book is an Elegant Offense.” Pointing out that the counterfeiting and pirating of trademarked and patented goods “remain rampant in China."

Ness acknowledged that improvements have been made (membership in WTO, amendments to copyright laws), but the question still remains: Does China provide “adequate and effective” intellectual property protection?