'History of Chinese Printing' makes world debut in Frankfurt

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-10-16 14:57

FRANKFURT, Germany: The English version of The History of Chinese Printing made its world debut on Thursday at the 61st Frankfurt Book Fair.

The English version of the book was co-published by Zhejiang Ancient Books Publishing House, affiliated with Zhejiang Publishing United Group (ZPUG), and US Hippocampus Publishing Company.

ZPUG presented the English version to Gutenberg Museum as a gift at the book release ceremony. The museum in Mainz, Germany, was named after Johannes Gutenberg, who invented the lead movable-type printing machine in the mid-15th century.

Dr. Eva-Maria Hanebutt-Benz, director of Gutenberg Museum, said:" It is very important for us to show and interpret the first printing technology in the world from China. We have had little knowledge in this field."

Joseph P. McDermott, a sinologist from the University of Cambridge, UK, said, "The book will be well-read."

ZPUG Chairman Tong Jian said Hangzhou, the capital city of Zhejiang province, was the hometown of Bi Sheng, who invented Chinese printing in the 11th century.

"We published the English version of The History of Chinese Printing because we want the world to know that China was the first to invent the printing technology," he said.

The Chinese version of The History of Chinese Printing came into print in 2006 and won the first China Government Publishing Award.

The book has been listed as one of the key books to represent Chinese classics at this year's Frankfurt Book Fair, at which China is the Guest of Honor.