More and more Chinese books were published overseas in recent years thanks to the persistent efforts by China's publishing institutions as well as the adequate attention given by the competent departments of the Chinese Government. Since the State Council Information Office, P.R.C. and the General Administration of Press and Publication, P.R.C. jointly launched the "China Book International (CBI)" program, more foreign publishing institutions than ever before have turn their sight to China. The move to have "Chinese publications going overseas" includes such forms as books trade, copyright trade, co-operative publishing, overseas investment and raising funds in foreign countries. Copyright trade and co-operative publishing should be given a key position and priority in implementing the "going overseas" strategy. Then what should an ordinary publishing institution do to export copyrights?

1. A correct understanding is very important

Publishing institutions, especially their leaders, should correct their misunderstanding of the "going overseas" strategy. Some of them think that the strategy is merely a matter of books trade and has nothing to do with their business. They should know that in today's world, a publishing enterprise will never grow into a powerful one without participating in international competition and will be easily ousted from the playground. Publishing houses have the responsibility to carry on and further develop Chinese national culture. Implementing the "going overseas" strategy can help an enterprise train its staff and bring forth professionals who are capable of performing well on the international stage. That will strengthen the publishing house's ability to compete in international markets.

2. International book fairs are very important

Every year, there are many influential book fairs held in the world, such as the Frankfurt Internation Book Fair, Bologna Children's Book Fair, London Book Fair and Beijing International Book Fair. International book fairs provide platforms for publishers and copyright holders and agents to communicate with each other and display their products. How to succeed in an international book fair is a big matter. A publishing house should make a careful study in advance so that it will achieve some success while present a good image of itself. A book fair usually offers two functions: exchange and display. "Exchange" refers to exchange of information and experience as well as friendly feelings. "Display" refers to image promotion by way of holding press conference, new books launching ceremony, new books discussion, contract signing ceremony, donation of books, collective book reviewing, book assessment and awarding, prize awarding ceremony, recital and recommend-ation. It is also a form of advertising: what I have; what I can do; what I need; how will I do; to what extent I can do; and what kind of effect it will produce. Preparation is of vital importance to the success of participation in an fair. We should make full use of our participation in international book fairs to "attain multi-purposes at one fair."

3. Active recommendation is very important

China publishes more than 200,000 titles of books each year. A fairly large number of them are suitable for copyright export. Choosing the right ones from a sea of books, however, proves to be a hard job for a foreign publishing institution. It is as difficult as finding a needle in an ocean. To make things worse, few foreign organizations have employed "China experts." Therefore, it is very important for Chinese publishers to recommend books for export. Recommendation requires skills. It includes these major elements: the book's abstract and table of contents, the author's profile, the book's circulation, the awards the books has won, comments from experts and the media, the sales of versions of other languages, some passages of the book, book cover, linkage to the video version. These papers must be translated into the target language, at least English. With all these messages, the foreign publisher will easily decide whether it will continue the negotiation for buying the copyright. Hardcopy is not absolutely needed for the delivery of a sample book; an electronic version will be transmitted faster, saving more time. It is an unacceptable practice to give your partner a sample book and then do nothing in follow-up.