Sixteen mainland Chinese publishers formed the China Media Publishers League ("League") on the 15th in Shanghai.

The League will delegate the Wenwei Publishing Company to register the League in Shanghai. The League will include as members well-known media entities such as Xinhua Publishing House, People's Daily Publishing House, Guangming Daily Publishing House and Nanfang Daily Publishing House.

The sixteen media publishers issued a joint communique, announcing that after setting up this strategic alliance, their goal would be to turn their organization into a new brand name.

The co-operation will not only focus on fund raising or resource collection, but will also jointly recommend nation-wide superior publications, establish an authoritative commentary platform, in order to further push forward the healthy and orderly growth of the book market.

Li Baozhong, deputy director of the Department of Books Publication under the General Administration of Press and Publication, considered the Chinese publishing industry to be undergoing the throes of competitive reforms.

The formation of the League is a "milestone event", enabling the League to become an indisputable force in the Chinese book market. He said, "the League becoming big and strong will strengthen our country's media development and will be meaningful for the prosperity of the publishing industry."

(Chinanews.cn May 17, 2005)