Since China’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), several legislations on the publishing industry have been promulgated, which have further facilitated opening up.

In publication, according to the Regulations on the Administration of Publication and the Industrial Catalogue Guiding Foreign Investment, foreign companies are allowed to conduct copyright trade and cooperation on publication. Such international cooperation plans have been arranged on publication of eight periodicals. Besides, cooperation on book publication has also been highly active.

In distribution, in accordance with China’s WTO commitments, the Regulations on the Administration of Publication and other administrative rules, China has opened its distribution market to foreign players. By December 11, 2004, the wholesale distribution of books newspapers and periodicals had been fully opened to foreign investors. By the end of 2004, foreign companies had invested in 13 distribution companies.

In printing, foreign companies are allowed to set up printing plants of publication in the form of joint-venture enterprises and contractual joint ventures and solely-funded printing companies of wrappers. Now foreign investors have invested in 55 printing companies, involving a total investment of $133 million.

In import and export of publications, according to the Regulations on the Administration of Publication, import and export of publications can be only operated by trade companies ratified by the government. To date, 38 companies have been granted the right to engage in publication import and export.