GAPP launches guidelines for private publishers

The General Administration of Press and Publication (GAPP) announced the release of the Guidelines on the Further Reform of the Press and Publication System, the South China Morning Post reported. The guidelines also “encourage and support the entry of private capital into state-run publishing houses through various channels,” but do not detail the channels private players can use to supply content, design, editing and other services. GAPP said it would restructure all publishing operations along enterprise lines by 2010, except for “non-profit, public-service publishing houses.” It would also encourage the emergence of six or seven publishing giants to promote listing and overseas business development. Analysts said more than half the publications currently on the market are books designed or published by private publishers in back-door deals with state-owned publishing houses.