English edition of Chinese journal shines spotlight on ancient relics

Chinese Cultural Relics is the official English translation of the prestigious Chinese archaeology journal Wenwu (Cultural Relics), which is renowned for its top-notch quality articles and in-depth archaeological reports.

Each issue of Chinese Cultural Relics contains translated articles of selected content from recent issues of Wenwu and is published by East View, a US-based company that has become the largest Chinese language digital academic content provider in North America. What is the targeted audience for such a specialty journal? How is it received overseas? China Daily website spoke with Kent D. Lee, president and CEO of East View, and Garry Guan, managing editor of Chinese Cultural Relics.

Why did you decide to publish the journal Chinese Cultural Relics?

Kent D. Lee: East View is the largest distributer of Chinese language digital academic content outside of China, all major universities of North America and the UK began to get their Chinese language products from us. But there was an interesting omission in this database, it was Wenwu, the professors wanted it to be included in the digital archive of their university libraries.

It turns out Wenwu is the most widely subscribed Chinese publication outside of China. Of course we want to start out with publications that have the most familiarity, the most readership in its native language, because it is a good indicator that the English translation will be successful if the Chinese edition is considered authoritative and popular.

Even though it is an academic journal, the quality is astoundingly good, it benefits China's image to have very serious publications well-done in English, for specialty audiences.