Maps – especially maps of Afghanistan and of Beijing’s Planned Olympic Sites – were the big sellers at the 10-day Annual Beijing Golden-Autumn Book Fair at the Working People’s Palace of Culture. The ever-popular China Map and the World Map also held their own.
Once a “focus area” develops in the world, readers ask for a local map of that area, according to Duan Mujie, advisor of China Map Publishing Bureau. This trend was reflected during the split of Russia and the War in the Middle East, for instance, and seems even more prominent today as cultural and intellectual life continues to improve in China.
After the terrorist attacks on the United States -- as readers began to show great interest in Afghanistan -- the Map Publishing Bureau published in early October some 1,000 extra maps of Afghanistan. So far all 3,500 maps in stock have been sold out.
Beijing’s winning bid for the 2008 Olympic Games continues to generate excitement as witnessed by the popularity of a map of Beijing’s Olympic Games Planned Projects. With hometown pride, Beijingers want to identify places they know in relation to the on-going constructive plans, such as the Olympic Games Park located in northeast Beijing. Meanwhile, the 2-yuan foldable Beijing Map continues among the best sellers, which also reflects the attention people are giving to Beijing’s overall development.
Other good sellers: Maps of Japan and South-Korea. With Beijing’s success in entering the World Cup, many football fans are planning to go to Japan or South Korea to support their beloved team. This map market is expected to be hot again in April and May of next year.
(china.org.cn October 26, 2001)
