China Announces Major Push into Printing.

The article reports that the Eighth World Print and Communication Congress in Cape Town, South Africa, in late January was the biggest gathering of producers and users of printed media and products ever to take place on the African continent. WPC8 was the first event held by the merged Comprint International and the World Print Congress. WPC delegates represent major national and multinational printing organizations and suppliers that are interested in the long-term health and success of the industry globally. The conference attracts producers and users of printed media, as well as publishers, advertising agencies, printers, converters and suppliers. Organized by the Printing Industries Federation of South Africa and sponsored by coated fine paper producer Sappi, WPC8 drew almost 700 participants from all over the world, many of them from China, Japan and Africa. In 2001, the People's Republic of China created the foundation for investments of foreign businesses in the print and publishing sector. With the exception of packaging print, only joint ventures under Chinese management are allowed. With a volume share of roughly 48 percent, the packaging sector dominates the Chinese printing industry.