China's printing market becomes world's second largest

People visit the 3D printing zone during the China International Printing Week in east China's Shanghai, July 3, 2014. Over 250 domestic enterprises demonstrated their latest printing technology during the exhibition. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)

China became the world's second largest printing market in 2013, according to official statistics released at an event in Shanghai on Thursday.

Statistics released by the State Administration of Press Publication, Radio, Film and Television at China (Shanghai) International Printing Week showed that the country's printing industry output exceeded one trillion yuan (about 160 billion U.S. dollars) in 2013, up 9.3 percent year on year and ranking second worldwide.

China boasts 105,000 printing companies with over 3.4 million employees, said Wang Yanbin, head of the administration's printing and issuing department, adding that the industry has witnessed fast growth in international trade.

In the 2014 Brazil World Cup, authorized printed materials were manufactured by a Chinese company. Chinese printing enterprises have gone global, even though the country's football has not.

"More Chinese firms are eyeing the world printing market. During the event, a sales order platform was launched to target markets in Europe, America and the Middle East," Wang said.