A periodical titled "Collector" said Wednesday it has become the first client of the newly- established state investigation center of publication circulation, affiliated to China's Press and Publication Administration.

At a press conference in Beijing Wednesday, the periodical, with a circulation of about 20,000, publicized its circulation figures and applied for the authentication from the center.

Sources with the center confirmed that although it has received several phone calls concerning the authentication, Collector is the first to present the written application.

The center, which began to work on April 25, was established to provide a more fair environment for Chinese publication organs, said Shi Feng, deputy director of the administration.

There are more than 9,000 periodicals and 2,000 newspapers in China, but there was few official authentication units. This shortage has resulted in many exaggerated circulation claims by publishers themselves for better advertisement.

"Compared with those with millions of circulation, Collector should be praised for its confidence and courage to publicize the circulation figure," said Shi.

In recent years, some prestigious foreign and domestic public opinion survey firms have respectively publicized their investigation results about the circulation of newspapers and periodicals in China. But the figures were often criticized for no official sources by commercial opponents of their clients.

Source: Xinhua