Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television of all the provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, relevant CPC Central Committee and state departments/ministries, administration of journalism and publication of democratic parties, Publicity Bureau of Department of Political Work of the Central Military Commission of the CPC, China Publishing Group Corporation, China International Publishing Group, China Education Publishing & Media Group Ltd., China Science Publishing & Media Group Ltd., and relevant publishing agencies:
The year 2018 is the first year of comprehensively implementing the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress, and marks the 40th anniversary of the inception of the reform and opening-up. This year is also very crucial in securing a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and implementing the 13th Five-Year Plan. To coordinate the implementation of the International Publishing of Chinese Classics Project, Silk Road Book Translation Funding Project, and Contemporary Chinese Literary Works Translation Project, and to ensure the high quality of the Chinese books published overseas, is of vital importance to publishing more fine works of China in the rest of the world in the new era, building the capacity for better international communication, improving China’s cultural strengths, and helping to build a community with a shared future for mankind. Now the notice is hereby given on the application for the International Publishing of Chinese Classics Project, Silk Road Book Translation Funding Project, and Contemporary Chinese Literary Works Translation Project of 2018.
1. Guiding Principles
Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress, the spirit of the 2018 Conference of Publicity Ministers and the Conference on the press, publication, radio, film and television work shall be fully implemented. By adhering to the general pace of making steady progress and following new development concept and right values, the capacity shall be built to improve international publishing communication and ensure its high-quality development. Efforts should be made to tell the Chinese story in a good manner and make Chinese voices heard by providing support for the international publishing, communication and promotion of good books which give real, comprehensive and objective depiction of contemporary China, so as to better enhance Chinese spirits, values and strengths. All the above measures can help create good international environment for securing the victory of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, embarking on the new journey of building socialist modernization comprehensively and realizing the Chinese dream of great rejuvenation of the nation.
2. Areas and Focuses of Project Application
2.1 Areas of Project Application
The practice of project management is applied to the International Publishing of Chinese Classics Project, Silk Road Book Translation Funding Project, and Contemporary Chinese Literary Works Translation Project, with financial support being given for good books to be translated and published overseas.
2.1.1 The International Publishing of Chinese Classics Project aims to provide support for Chinese publishing agencies to publish books about contemporary China in major countries and regions so as to help overseas readers gain better understanding of China. When selecting specific projects, the International Publishing of Chinese Classics Project would prioritize copyright export or co-publishing signed between domestic publishing agencies and large international publishing groups, favoring English or other major languages.
2.1.2 The Silk Road Book Translation Funding Project aims to provide support for books about contemporary China to be published in our neighboring countries and countries along the Belt and Road so as to promote people-to-people connectivity. When selecting specific projects, the Silk Road Book Translation Funding Project would prioritize copyright export or co-publishing signed between domestic publishing agencies and famous publishing groups in neighboring countries and countries along the Belt and Road, favoring languages commonly used in these countries.
2.1.3 The Contemporary Chinese Literary Works Translation Project aims to provide financial support for the translation, publishing and overseas promotion of well-made realistic literary works which are profound in thinking and exquisite in artistic value.
2.1.4 The International Publishing of Chinese Classics Project, Silk Road Book Translation Funding Project, and Contemporary Chinese Literary Works Translation Project encourage all the relevant publishing agencies to select and apply for key topics in their publishing efforts to celebrate and mark the 40th anniversary of the inception of the reform and opening-up in 2018, the 70th anniversary of the founding of the PRC in 2019, the completion of comprehensively building a moderately prosperous society in all respects in 2020, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC in 2021, and the 20th CPC National Congress in 2022. The Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television will organize experts to appraise the key selected topics, establish the database for the outstanding topics, and provide important support for the topics incorporated in the database in terms of translation, publishing and publication.
2.1.5 The International Publishing of Chinese Classics Project, Silk Road Book Translation Funding Project, and Contemporary Chinese Literary Works Translation Project also support good books giving object portraits of contemporary China translated, published or written by overseas Sinologists, writers, translators and publishers.
2.2 Focuses of Project Application
2.2.1 Books which give in-depth introduction of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era: to continuously develop and provide the financial support for the translation and publishing of a series of high-quality academic monographs and popular books for foreign readers, which expound on the historic status, scientific system, core essence, spirits and rich substances of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.
2.2.2 Books which give in-depth explanation of the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress: focusing on the theme of the 19th CPC National Congress, to provide the financial support for the translation and publishing of top-quality books which elaborate on the great significance of the 19th CPC National Congress, record the historic achievements and change in the cause of the Party and the country in the past five years, and publicize and illustrate the series of important new thinking, ideas, judgments, and measures put forward in the 19th CPC National Congress.
2.2.3 Books celebrating the 40th anniversary of the inception of the reform and opening-up: to provide the financial support for the translation and publishing of excellent books which give vivid portraits of the remarkably great journey of the reform and opening-up in the past four decades, systematically review the important accomplishments in theoretical and institutional innovation during this period of time, and reflect China’s economic development, social progress and huge change in people’s daily lives in the 40 years.
2.2.4 Thematic books: First, to provide the financial support for the translation and publishing of books which give comprehensive introduction of the important strategies and achievements in economic, political, cultural and social development, environmental conservation, national defense, and comprehensively promoting law-based governance and strengthening Party discipline; to give major support for the translation and publishing of books which give in-depth elucidation of the Xi Jinping Economic Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.
Second, to facilitate the translation of the findings concerning the history of the Nanjing Massacre by providing the financial support for the translation and publishing of academic monographs, files of historic images and documents, and literary works concerning the Nanjing Massacre that are moderate in size and acceptable to overseas readers.
Third, to represent the socialist core values by providing the financial support for the translation and publishing of books which give vivid interpretation of the socialist core values and demonstrate its cultural essences, application, pursuit and meaning to the world.
Fourth, to provide the financial support for the translation and publishing of books that vividly demonstrate the commonality between the Chinese dream and the dreams of people elsewhere in the world by financing the translation and publishing of books that explain the culture behind China’s resolve in pursing the path of peaceful development, building a new type of international relations, and building a community with a shared future for mankind.
Fifth, focusing on the 5th anniversary of the introduction of the Belt and Road Initiative, to provide the financial support for the translation and publishing of books which brief on the major policies, important measures and key projects concerning the Initiative, and promote the Belt and Road international cooperation.
2.2.5 Books on Chinese culture: promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture, and echoing foreign readers’ interest in the contemporary Chinese culture, to provide the financial support for the translation and publishing of books on the contemporary Chinese culture which carry forward the cultural gene of the Chinese nation, and display the enduring charm and contemporary ethos of Chinese culture, and to finance the translation and publishing of books which dig into the ideas, humanism and moral standards contained in fine traditional Chinese culture.
2.2.6 Books on literature and art: aiming to implement the Original Top-quality Chinese Literary and Artistic Works Publishing project, and conducting literary and artistic creation about the people and their lives that comply with the spirits of the time, to provide the financial support for the translation and publishing of excellent realistic works that extol the Party, the country, the people, heroes and the new era.
2.2.7 Books on philosophy and social sciences: to provide the financial support for the translation and publishing of excellent books which elaborate on the latest achievements in adapting Marxism to Chinese conditions, applying current thought of Marxism and the popularization of Marxism, and to provide the financial support for the translation and publishing of books on philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics that fully embody Chinese features, styles and charms in guiding principles, discipline system, academic system and narrative, and also have great international influence.
2.2.8 Books on science and technology: in light of mid and long-term state planning in science and technology and the purpose of enhancing theoretical and knowledge innovation, to translate and publish books that display the important findings, major achievements in application, innovation and popularization in basic science, natural science and engineering of China, and to lay emphasis on the translation and publishing of excellent books that reflect the transition from “made in China” to “created in China”, from China speed to China quality, and from big manufacturer to strong manufacturer.
2.2.9 Children’s books: to carry out in-depth research into the patterns of the publishing of children’s books across the world, to provide the financial support for the translation and publishing of original Chinese books that help teenagers and children establish right values, and original children literature and picture books that enable teenagers and children from different countries to catch a glimpse of the cultural diversity and the diversified world, and to give special support for the translation and publishing of children literature and picture books for young readers across the world co-authored by Chinese and foreign writers and illustrators.
2.2.10 Chinese language textbooks: integrating resources in the publishing of Chinese language teaching materials domestically, to provide the financial support for the translation and publishing of quality textbooks and learning aids reflecting contemporary China so as to help these countries which incorporate Mandarin teaching in their national education system.
3. Detailed Requirements
3.1 Attaching great importance to the work. All the relevant departments and agencies shall coordinate the learning of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the implementation of the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress, and the fundamental requirements of promoting high-quality development. Complying with the fundamental requirements of promoting high-quality development in facilitating the international publishing and guided by the above focuses of application, relevant departments and agencies shall establish and improve the product line, produce more quality works, make greater efforts to enhance the international influence of Chinese books.
3.2 Providing high-quality works. Relevant departments and agencies should carry forward craftsmanship in order to provide more high-quality works, strengthen the copyright export and co-publishing of 200 books in the basic database of the overseas publishing program of Chinese books, improve the translation and publishing, and build world-renowned brands. Major subjects of international publishing shall be planned and arranged comprehensively and an orderly and progressive book production landscape shall be created according to the major timeline in the coming five years mentioned by General Secretary Xi Jinping during the Press Conference of the Members of the 19th Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC.
3.3 Innovating narratives. It is necessary to profoundly understand the historic change in the relations between China and the world, to observe China with an international vision, and introduce China to the rest of the world using the discourses familiar to foreign friends. To conduct in-depth research into the traditional culture, values and reading habits of readers in different countries, provide customized solutions to different countries, and improve effectiveness and narratives. To select subjects of international publishing focusing on the formulation of important state policies and guidelines, and elaborate on profound themes with good stories.
3.4 Expanding channel platforms. International publishing exchanges and cooperation shall be planned and carried out around important foreign visits by leaders of the Party and the country, and other major diplomatic events such as the SCO Summit. The quality of books on display at international book fairs must be improved and efforts must be made to ensure that a series of major thematic books are launched for every international book fair. Preparation work must be done for hosting the 25th Beijing International Book Fair, and attending the International Book Fair of Havana, Cuba and Bologna Children’s Book Fair as the guest of honour in order to carry out international publishing exchanges and cooperation in an innovative manner. Overseas marketing and distribution channels such as the “That’s China” must be developed so as to establish new platforms for the exhibition and sales of Chinese books in foreign languages.
3.5 Conducting international cooperation. Departments and agencies with the capabilities and willingness can set up a book editorial office or co-publishing center at world-renowned publishing groups, and jointly plan the subjects, carry out the translation and publishing, and establish distribution channels so as to enhance the core competitiveness in the international publishing. Moreover, foreign publishing groups must be encouraged to be involved in selecting and planning the subjects, participate in “The Best Books on China Written by Foreigners”, and write more good books giving objective depiction of China.
3.6 Introducing more digital publications overseas. It is necessary to concentrate the optimal publishing resources so as to create digital publications about contemporary China that have brand effect and promote them in foreign markets, taking into account the communication patterns and customers of digital publications. For the new projects in 2018, it is advisable to develop digital versions alongside the paper versions and explore new ways such as audios. Finalized projects shall be made into digital version. Digital platforms such as eReading should be used for presentation and operation, enhancing the digital publishing of Chinese books.
4. Guidance for Application.
The deadline for the application of the International Publishing of Chinese Classics Project of 2018 and the Silk Road Book Translation Funding Project is March 26, 2018.
The deadline for the Contemporary Chinese Literary Works Translation Project is February 26, 2018. For the specific application procedure and demands, please refer to the application processes for the three projects.
In applying for the International Publishing of Chinese Classics Project, Silk Road Book Translation Funding Project, and Contemporary Chinese Literary Works Translation Project, all the publishing agencies shall follow the requirements of this Notice, take into account the actual condition in their international cooperation experience and practice, and give full play to their respective strengths. Following the principles and requirements of voluntary application, appraisal by experts, selecting good projects and putting in place follow-up actions, the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television will conduct appraisal and evaluation, and then provide financial support for the chosen projects.
This notice is hereby given.
General Office of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television
January 10, 2018
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