Development of state-managed publishing in China: Ancient texts, Qing History and current gazetteers

Abstract

This article examines the development and status of state-managed publishing in China by introducing and analyzing the history and development of the three most important national level directorates, i.e., the National Leading Group for the Planning of Collating and Publishing of Ancient Texts, the National Leading Group for Compiling Qing History, and the National Leading Group for Local Gazetteers. The article explores the history, publishing policies and operations of the three directorates, and the reasons why the state commits significant political, human and financial resources to publishing. It is argued that collaboration and unity between scholars and state, instead of independent scholarship and constructive dialogue, are ultimately pursued in the unprecedented large-scale publishing projects.