The Chinese eBook market is one of the largest in the world and by 2020 it is expected to generate over $5.3 billion dollars. In 2017 ebook sales increased by over 29.2% and Amazon is hoping to capitalize with Prime Reading, which just launched in China this week.
Prime Reading China only has a paltry 500 titles and KDP authors will not be able to include their titles in the bookstore because it’s run independently from the mainstream Kindle stores, presumably to comply with Chinese government controls on what is and is not permitted. The only way to get their content into the program is to somehow partner with a distributor or publisher in China.
Gu Fan, head of Amazon Prime China, said a recent study showed the digital reading adoption rate in China has increased for eight consecutive years, and reached 68.2% in 2016. “Reading has been one of the most frequently-requested new benefits from members since Day One of Prime in China. We will continue innovating for Prime members in China by adding more benefits, making Prime the best deal.”
In order to draw attention to Prime Reading, Amazon China also launched a Prime membership annual fee special offer. From April 18 to April 24, newly registered Amazon Prime members can enjoy the preferential price of the first year’s membership fee of 199 yuan, which is $31 USD.
Michael Kozlowski is the editor-in-chief at Good e-Reader and has written about audiobooks and e-readers for the past fifteen years. Newspapers and websites such as the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and the New York Times have picked up his articles. He Lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
