Book boom

Springer displays some of its China-related journals and books at a Beijing book fair. Provided to China Daily

He Chuanqi is one of the first Chinese authors to be published globally by Springer.

He, director of the China Center for Modernization Research under Chinese Academy of Sciences, published the Chinese version of Modernization Science - the Principles and Methods of National Advancement in 2010.

Starting in 1998, He and his colleagues have been tracking modernization through both scientific and social means. "Springer was interested in the book and reviewed it carefully for six months before publishing the English version," He says.

Thanks to the international acclaim the book brought to the center, He successfully organized the first International Modernization Forum in Beijing in late 2012.

"The book serves as a window for academic exchanges," He says.

Springer believes its network among globally known researchers helps to promote the books and the related research by connecting authors from different countries.

"The strict review process from both Chinese and foreign reviewers shows the value of the books, checks against plagiarism and offers recommendations," Thomas says.

Unlike publishing new authors for popular books in a foreign market, which is relatively difficult, Thomas believes that in social sciences, Chinese authors have the same chance as their peers elsewhere because "every book is unique".

China is also gaining a broader reputation in the sciences and research, he says.

China's social changes in the past decades have enabled universities to benefit from exchanges with the world. "The ripple effect has created new scientific excellence in China," he says.

"It's just a matter of time for a bigger global audience to realize that," he adds.

Noticing Springer's shift of interest, Chinese publishers are being drawn to collaborate on key projects.

Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press is working with Springer on publishing the China Academic Library Series written by established authors, such as Li Yi-ning, Yue Daiyun and Tang Yijie.

Wu Hao, director of the press' social science/humanities division, says he finds much in common with Springer from the editorial ideas to the notion of introducing China to the world.

"The series will focus on contemporary interpretations of Chinese classics, together with contemporary works on Chinese society and culture, which Springer is also excited to present," Wu says.

Thomas says one third of Springer's readers are from Europe, one third from the United States, and others from Asia.

"China has brought Chinese ideas to the world, on a bigger scale than anticipated," he says.