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The technology of movable clay type, invented by Bi Sheng in Northern Song Dynasty (960-1126), was widely regarded as a significant contribution to global communication and the development of modern printing technology.
Now, as one of the most fast-developing economies worldwide, China has become a land of opportunity on which world print giants fix their eyes.
Leaders of the world's top printing enterprises voiced their interest in the Chinese print market Monday at the Chief Executive Officers' (CEO) forum of the ongoing World Print Congress (WPC) in Beijing.
Bernhard Schreier, board chairman of Heidelberger, the world's largest manufacturer of printing machines, said China is the place to be when it comes to the printing industry.
"With growth rates in high double figures, China is the fastest growing individual market of all for the print sector," he said.
He considers China's booming economy as an impetus for the development of Chinese print enterprises as well as opportunities for Heidelberger to continue its global market success.
Minoru Ohnishi, chairman and CEO of Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd., said his company is strongly committed to manufacturing, retail and service operations in China.
Fuji now provides Chinese customers with high-quality consumer photographic products, graphic arts systems and information systems.
"Print is positioned for continued growth well into the new millennium, with increasing contribution from countries like China for growth," said Jeff Jacobson, CEO of Kodak Polychrome Graphics.
He said electronic and other alternatives to print will begin to diffuse slowly into markets like China, where the strength of ink and paper remain.
He said the huge market potential of China underscores the bullish attitude of world print giants on the sustainability of a global print industry.
Ray Roper, the president and CEO of Printing Industries of American (PIA), said China's huge potential will become more clear if the current 20-dollar per capital consumption of print in China is compared with the some 300-dollar per capita consumption in developed countries.
Now, China has some 150,000 printing enterprises and over three million print practitioners. The annual industrial output of the print industry totaled some 150 billion yuan (US$18.14 billion).
(xinhua 05/21/2001)
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