China and Publishing: The Best of Times, or The Worst of Times?

Walk through the sprawling Javits Center for BEA 2015 and you’ll be blinded by the huge floor space marked by the huge country that has taken the front-and-center stage as Market Focus of BEA 2015 — China. For the intimidation that it can throw off — expanses of Chinese titles, a formal tea ceremony, no bowls filled with Snickers or bookmarks — the chill fell away, somewhat, in the opening panel “Chinese-American Publishing & Media Industry Forum.” A panel was led by publishing consultant Ruediger Wischenbart, who specializes in surveying international culture and publishing markets.