Foreign Languages Press released on Wednesday its first three books in a series that aims to introduce foreigners to China through the development and culture of its cities. But different from FLP's other guidebooks, this series, called "Cities of China," are told from foreigners' perspectives.

The authors of the books in the series are all from English-speaking countries and have lived in China for several months.

"In the past, our books were usually written by Chinese writers and translated into English," said FLP President Hu Baomin. "But this time we reversed the process."

The first three books in Foreign Language Press's new series on Chinese cities (from left to right): Life on the Water's Edge: The Culture and History of the Qinhuai River, The Kunshan Way and Wuxi: Where Ancient Culture Meets Contemporary Life. [China.org.cn]

The first three books are: The Kunshan Way by Einar Tangen, Life on the Water's Edge: The Culture and History of the Qinhuai River by Bobby Brill and Wuxi: Where Ancient Culture Meets Contemporary Life, a collection of photographs by 10 photographers.

Huang Youyi, vice president of FLP's parent company, China International Publishing Group, said the authors are more sensitive to Chinese customs than those who have lived in China for years while still possessing a relatively deep understanding of the country's conditions.

"For example, Mr. Brill wrote that people always carry steamed Nanjing duck at train stations and the airport," Huang said. "What he described is a common scene for us. He showed Chinese lifestyle in daily trifles."

As Chinese cities –and the number of Chinese cities – continue to grow rapidly, urbanization has become a hot topic in the country. According to Chinese magazine Outlook Weekly, the number of Chinese cities has increased from 193 to 675 between 1978 and 2005. Cities contribute 70 percent of China's GDP and 80 percent of its internal revenue.

Xinhua has reported that about 700 million people will live in China's cities by 2015. Even the motto of the Shanghai 2010 World Expo, "Better city, better life" focuses on the city. Thus, CIPG chose to show the world the development of China through the nation's cities.

Bobby Brill, author of Life on the Water's Edge: The Culture and History of the Qinhuai River, speaks about his book. [China.org.cn]

Books on Nantong, Qingdao, Taizhou, Changzhou and Hangzhou are in production. Hu said FLP plans to publish 20 to 30 books in the next three years, and they have a talent pool of about 100 foreign writers so far. Projects will be assigned to writers based on their backgrounds and writing styles.

Huang noted the unique cooperation model, between the foreign writers, local publicity departments of each city and FLP, that is used to produce the series.

"The writing process itself is a successful cross culture activity," Huang said.

The books will distributed through CIPG's 17 branches around the globe to be sold in about 180 countries.