The Rice Paper Diaries, Francesca Rhydderch’s first novel will be published in Chinese by Shanghai Translation Publishing House. Wu Hong, Vice Editor-in–Chief of Shanghai Translation Publishing House announced their intention to buy the translation rights following a symposium on literary and publishing exchange between Wales and China.

In response to the symposium’s spirit of literary and publishing exchange, Mick Felton of Seren Books announced their intention to purchase the English translation rights to China 1957 by You Feng Wei, and publish the novel as part of the Seren Discoveries series.

The symposium, held on May 2nd 2014, was organised by Bangor University in partnership with Wales Literature Exchange to celebrate the publication of a special Wales edition of the influential Chinese magazine, Foreign Literature and Art.

During the symposium a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Wales Literature Exchange, Bangor University and the Shanghai Translation Publishing House, in order to strengthen and develop the flourishing partnership between the three institutions.

Sioned Puw Rowlands, Director of Wales Literature Exchange commented: “China’s importance as a publishing market will significantly grow over the next decade.

Shanghai Translation Publishing House is the largest comprehensive translation publishing house in China. Their intention to buy the publishing rights for The Rice Paper Diaries is good news not only for Francesca Rhydderch but also for the publishing industry in Wales.

Seren Books’s decision to publish You Fengwei, China 1957 will also provide readers in Wales and beyond with the opportunity to discover a key work of literature from China in translation.

By signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Bangor University and Shanghai Translation Publishing House our intention is to secure further literary and publishing exchange between Wales and China over the coming years.”

See images from the symposium here.