The Cambridge University Press signed a book copyright license agreement with the China Intercontinental Press in Beijing on May 20, 2009.

The Cambridge University Press (CUP) signed a book copyright license agreement with the China Intercontinental Press (CIP) in Beijing on May 20, 2009.

According to the agreement, the CUP will import CIP's "Cultural China" series. The move was made as part of the CUP's efforts to mark its 425 anniversary. It also marked official launch of the "Project for Translation and Publication of Chinese Cultural Works" initiated by China's General Administration of Press and Publication (GAPP) and State Council Information Office (SCIO).

The CUP is one of the largest academic and educational publishing organizations with the longest history in the world. It publishes "Science & Civilisation in China" and "The Cambridge History of China", which enjoy a high reputation in the world. Established in 1993, the CIP has grown into one of China's promising international publishing groups. It publishes some 200 titles in various categories and different languages.

The "Cultural China" series was launched in 2003 and is to comprise 30 books divided into three sections. There have been 23 of them published by May 2009 in Chinese and English, among other languages. The rest will be available this fall. All the authors are famous academic experts and they aim to show the Oriental culture is fall of "vigor, fun and wisdom," and "inseparable with people's daily life."

Since the series' launching, it has been welcomed by readers both in and out of China. Both the Chinese and English editions have been reprinted several times, with the total circulation reaching 1,000,000 copies. In 2004, "Chinese Calligraphy" and "Peking Opera" from the series won the Outstanding Prize at China's Sixth National Book Binding and Layout Fair. The same year, the series as awarded the first prize at the Sixth Hong Kong Printing Fair.

(China.org.cn May 21, 2009)