The six-volume Anthology of 20th Century Chinese Literature project, which is intended to introduce the country's classics in English, was launched last month.

It is organized by genres, including novels, novelettes and short stories, poems, drama, prose, literary theory and criticism. It features the works of writers, such as Lu Xun, Lao She, Wang Meng, Wang Anyi, Mo Yan, Yu Hua and Li Zehou.

Part of the International Publications of Chinese Classics project, supported by the General Administration of Press and Publications of China, the anthology will feature quality English translations, according to editor-in-chief, Wang Ning, professor of English and Comparative Literature, at Tsinghua University.

All the works will be revised or proofread by Anglo-American literary experts on the international advisory board before being published.

The anthology is expected to be completed by the end of 2012. Its publisher, Nanjing-based Yilin Press, is seeking collaboration with leading international English publishers.