Chinese may soon be touting new books in their book bags. American books that is.

US publishers, including media mogul Rupert Murdoch, are eager to tap into China's huge publishing market.

China ranked in the world's top ten book markets last year with total sales accounting for 6 percent of the global total.

Moreover, China has recently passed new policies opening the sales field of the publishing market.

Starting December of 2004, overseas publishers will be allowed to engage in wholesale business, and will be fully released from market restrictions five years later.

(CRI.com December 6, 2003)