In the afternoon of July 11, 2011, the Open University of China (OUC) Multimedia Press and U.S.-based Berkshire Publishing Group signed a memorandum of understanding in Beijing for a large-scale audio-visual publication project named China Panorama—Video Encyclopedia of China. The two parties will work together on the content, translation, marketing, publication, and sales of the project and strive to lay a good foundation for the adoption and propagation of the product in the U.S.

China Panorama—Video Encyclopedia of China is a project designed by the OUC Multimedia Press. It is listed as one of the projects in the Twelfth Five-Year National Key Audio-Visual Product Publishing Plan by the General Administration of Press and Publication of PRC. It will present educational content on Chinese culture and contemporary China in video form, arranged as an encyclopedia of nine "volumes" covering such subjects as geography, history, nature, society, literature, art, etc. Each knowledge point will appear as an "entry", and the estimated total content is 5000+ "entries" and 25,000 minutes of video. The content will be accessible through various channels including CD, Internet, radio and TV networks, mobile networks, and handheld devices, forming a seamless and ubiquitous learning environment. This multilingual product is mainly geared to youths. Youths overseas and other Chinese culture lovers can experience contemporary China and Chinese culture through the videos, and youths in China can use the material as a supplementary educational resource. OUC Multimedia Press and Berkshire Publishing Group will next proceed with planning and development of the "Geography" and "History" volumes, aiming to provide video resources on Chinese culture that appeal to English-speaking students of China and the Chinese language.

At the ceremony, Chairwoman of Berkshire Publishing Group, Ms. Karen Christensen, and Director of the OUC Multimedia Press, Mr. Liang Xiaoqing, each presented the purpose of the collaboration and the state of the project. Ms. Christensen expressed her support for this far-reaching undertaking. Mr. Liang also underscored the significance of the project and expressed his hopes to produce more quality audio-visual educational products on Chinese culture based on the success of this project. He also stated his vision to expand the current partnership to include other types of projects, creating an effective multimedia industry chain and setting new trends in digital video media publication.

Mr. Stephen A. Orlins, President of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, was also invited as a special guest to the ceremony. He pointed out the project's significance in offering Americans a valuable platform by which to understand China. He also said that involvement with the U.S. publishing industry could help the Chinese better understand and penetrate the U.S. market and more effectively promote such valuable products within the U.S.

Also at the ceremony was Director Qi Dexiang of Beijing Language and Culture University Press, a strategic partner of the OUC Multimedia Press. He noted that understanding international market demands is a prerequisite to promote the Chinese language and educational products on Chinese culture overseas, and that diversified collaboration would lead to deeper insight into the market and stronger marketing capabilities.

Head of the Publication Administration Section in the Social Science Department of the Ministry of Education, Ms. Lin Li, and Vice President of the OUC, Mr. Zhang Shaogang also participated in the ceremony. Both expressed their congratulations and high hopes for the project.

Berkshire Publishing Group is an innovative information company that specializes in academic and educational publications on a wide range of subjects including cross-cultural communication, global business and economics, environmental sustainability, etc. It has a wealth of experience in publishing products on Chinese culture and has maintained close relationships with schools, libraries, and distributors across the U.S. and Europe.

By the OUC Multi-media Press