Chinese printer knocks back Australian book

Three simple words caused academic publisher, UNSW Press, to find a new printer for its book, Putting Queensland on the Map.

The biography, written by Felicity Jack, is largely a documentation of her great grandfather, Robert Logan Jack's life and travels throughout Australian and China. During his time in the latter country, Logan Jack encountered the China-Tibet border and mention of this sparked ire from the printer in China.

According to Elizabeth Menzies, publisher at UNSW Press, the mention of the China-Tibet border was spotted by a printer before the book was published. "They suggested that we remove the mention of the China-Tibet border but we refused," she said.
 
Menzies was unable to name the Chinese printing company that prints any of the company's colour books. "We print as many of our books as we can in Australia," she said, "but those that are colour or require something different are printed in China. [Putting Queensland on the Map came with a CD.]"

After refusing to omit the controversial reference, the Chinese printer suggested that UNSW Press print with their organization in Hong Kong but the costs to do this were too high. In the end, the book found a cheaper printer in Thailand.

"From a timing point of view, the books were delivered slightly later, but the printer did a good job," Menzies said.

Menzies supports the publishing company's stance against China's attempts at censorship.

"The author [jack] felt very strongly that she did not want her text changed by the Chinese authorities and we stand beside that," she said.