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Bertelsmann to drive further into China

By Rong Xiandong (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2007-06-21 15:21

Gunter Thielen, board chairman of German Bertelsmann AG, introduced the group's China development strategy in Beijing June 21. [Rong Xiandong/chinadaily.com.cn]

Bertelsmann, one of the world's top five media companies, sees huge potential in China's media and publishing markets and hopes to generate about 10 percent of its global sales revenue in China in the next few years.

China, the fastest-growing major economy in the world, now only accounts for roughly one percent of the company's global sales revenue.

Gunter Thielen, board chairman of German Bertelsmann AG, introduced the group's China development strategy in Beijing June 21.

Bertelsmann expects to establish 10-15 joint ventures in China in the next few years through cooperation with local partners, said Gunter Thielen.

Four divisions of the group, Gruner+Jahr, BMG, Arvato and Direct Group, have operations in China and employ about 1,600 people. The other two arms of the German group, RTL Group, Europe's No 1 broadcaster, and Random House, the world's largest trade book publishing group, are considering establishing operations in China, according to the board chairman.