Chung Hwa Book Company (Hong Kong)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing, Retail |
| Predecessor | Chung Hwa Book Company (originally founded 1912 in Shanghai) |
| Founded | 1927 in Hong Kong |
| Fate | Restructured in 1988; became part of Sino United Publishing group |
| Headquarters | Hong Kong , Hong Kong |
Area served | Hong Kong |
| Products | Books, publishing, retail sales, direct marketing |
| Owner | Sino United Publishing group |
| Parent | Sino United Publishing group |
| Website | www |
Chung Hwa Book Company () is a publishing firm and bookstore network headquartered in Hong Kong. Established in 1927, it has been active for more than ninety years with a mission centered on "advancing Chinese culture and fostering modern civilization." Historically, the company also engaged in printing banknotes.[1][2][3][4]
History
Originally founded in Shanghai in 1912,[5][2] Chung Hwa Book Company expanded by launching its Hong Kong branch in 1927.[3][2]
During the period of Japanese occupation of Hong Kong from 1941 to 1945, the company was responsible for printing HK$50 and HK$100 banknotes.[2]
From the 1950s through the 1970s, the Hong Kong branch released approximately 850 book titles, with over one-third dedicated to Chinese civilization.[1]
In 1979, Chung Hwa inaugurated its flagship bookstore located in Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon.[4][1]
The company underwent restructuring in 1988, becoming "Chung Hwa Book Company (Hong Kong) Limited," and became part of the Sino United Publishing group.[3][2]
Further growth included opening a branch at Tsuen Wan Plaza in 1991,[4] and introducing the "Slow Reading Time" themed store concept in 2001.[6]
In 2012, it launched the Manga Shop in Mong Kok, specializing in Japanese comics through a collaboration with the Japanese retailer Animate.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
After Yip Yi Tong ceased operations, Chung Hwa established five outlets at Hong Kong International Airport in 2016.[3]Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Operations
Chung Hwa Book Company (Hong Kong) has developed into a multifaceted cultural publishing enterprise encompassing publishing, retail sales, and direct marketing. It maintains retail locations including those at Causeway Bay Central Library and Yau Ma Tei. Its subsidiary brands feature Feifan Publishing, Kaiming Bookstore, Animation World, and Slow Reading Time.
The company’s publishing portfolio covers Chinese history and culture, classical literature and philosophy, modern Chinese essays, children’s literature, dictionaries, popular culture topics, and self-help. A highlight includes its seventh edition of the New Chinese Dictionary, which earned the Japanese Good Design Award in 2018.
Awards
Chung Hwa has been honored with various prestigious local and international literary accolades such as the Hong Kong Book Prize, Hong Kong Publishing Biennial Awards, Taipei International Book Exhibition Prize, International Convention of Asia Scholars (ICAS) Book Prize, Asia Book Awards, as well as the Japanese Good Design Award.
Controversy
During the 2013 Hong Kong Book Fair, Chung Hwa faced criticism for distributing an abridged edition of A Brief History of Hong Kong, initially compiled by Professor Mark Gould from the University of Hong Kong. The company clarified that two separate Chinese translations exist: a full version intended for Hong Kong and other regions, and a condensed sample edition meant exclusively for copyright transactions and distribution within mainland China. Due to an inventory mistake, 38 copies of this sample version were inadvertently sold at the fair but were swiftly withdrawn.
See also
External links
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