Printing Industry of China and Asian Printing Introduction.The Present State of the Chinese Printing Industry
1. The Development Course of the Chinese Printing Industry In Brief
As known to all, China has a long history with brilliant S & T achievements and splendid civilization. The inventions of compass, gunpowder, paper making and printing were all originated from the ancient Chinese cultural civilization of more than 5 thousand years. According to the historic literature, the engraved block printing was invented as early as in the 13th year of Shui Dynasty e.g. A.D.593. So there is a saying that ' Engraved block printing invented in Shui (Dynasty), popularized in Tang (Dynasty), Developed in Wudai (Dynasty) and Improved in Song (Dynasty)' . Then this technology of China was disseminated from east to west by the Ancient Silk Way through land and sea.
From the end of Ming Dynasty e.g. in middle of 17 century, China began lagging behind other countries in the field of S & T including printing. While the modern printing technology, started with the lead alloy types and wooden printing machine invented in the middle of 15 century by Gutenburg, was introduced into China as late as in the 19th century. Since the founding of P R China in 1949, especially after the reform and opening policy in 1980s, the government has paid high attention to S & T. development. With the construction development of socialistic material and spiritual civilization the printing industry has witnessed a great advancement both in production scale and technical level, and a comparative comprehensive industrial system is formed.
