The London Book Fair awards has 14 categories, and China was shortlisted in five of them. (Photo : Getty Images)

China's efforts in strengthening its presence in the global publishing scene was recognized as the country won two awards in the recently concluded London Book Fair award ceremony, according to an article by China Daily.




The Market Focus Achievement Award was given as a means to recognize China's efforts in 2012, when the country did its best to showcase the local publishing industry.



During that year, China adopted a new approach to increase its exchanges with the global publishing industry, said Lin Liying, vice president of the China National Publication Import and Export Corp. (CPIEC).



2012 was also the year when China was chosen as the London Book Fair's focus country. The country brought with it a wide variety of publishers and books, which helped increase the global publishing industry's awareness of the Chinese publishing landscape.



The other award, Children's and Young Adult Trade Publisher Award, was given to Jieli Publishing House Co. Ltd. to recognize the company's work in publishing high-quality domestic and international literary works.



Jieli Publishing's annual catalogue contains approximately 400 to 500 titles, which feature a blend of local and international works.



Wang Yanchao, rights manager of the company, is especially thankful for the recognition. According to Wang, her team has solely focused on adding a slew of high-caliber titles to the annual catalogue.



Jack Thomas, director of the London Book Fair, was pleased that China won the two awards. It's about time, as the director firmly believes that the Chinese publishing industry has global influence that only continues to grow.



In addition, Thomas hopes that more Chinese books will be translated to other languages to create an avenue that will allow the whole world to understand China and its culture.



The London Book Fair awards has 14 categories, and China was shortlisted in five of them. Australia and the United States, on the other hand, received four nominations each.

