Contact: Steve Johnson, Vice President of Communications, Biblica, 719-867-2618

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Jan. 4, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Chinese Contemporary Bible (CCB) is now available online at Biblica.com, BibleGateway.com, and YouVersion.com. Twenty-nine percent of China's population uses the internet, making China the world's largest online community at 384 million, more than the entire population of the United States.

The printed Bible will be released concurrently with the Chinese New Year in February. The Chinese Contemporary Bible is translated into Standard Mandarin, also known as Putonghua, meaning "common speech." There are 873 million Mandarin speakers in mainland China.

The Chinese Contemporary Bible is exactly what its name implies: a contemporary, modern version for Chinese speakers. The Chinese Contemporary Bible's revisions reflect the changes in Chinese language, providing opportunity to reach the younger generation, children and seekers. The need for a modern, less formal translation was affirmed when a young man shared with one of the translators and said, "This Bible speaks to my heart because it reads like the language I speak at home."

The Chinese Contemporary Bible is a thorough, fully revised version of the Chinese Living Bible, released in 1975. Since 1975, there has been staggering growth of the Chinese Church -- from 2.7 million to over 75 million in 2010 (source: Operation World, 2010). The need for biblical resources increases with the growth of the Christian population; Biblica has responded by providing a modern, easy to read contemporary Bible. Initially, 50,000 copies of the Chinese Contemporary Bible will be printed and will be made available through a ministry approach.

Earlier in 2010, Philip Yancey toured Asia with Biblica and taught a writing seminar to 90-100 writers, editors, professors, and Christian leaders. During the seminar, participants were given the CCB New Testament. The CCB was well received, and many asked how they could get additional copies to share with their co-workers, students, and friends.

In addition to the Chinese Contemporary Bible, Biblica has produced New Testament books Matthew and Acts in DVD format. In the spring of 2011, the CCB Audio New Testament will also be available. The Student Bible is being translated into the CCB text, and the popular Life Application Bible will be adapted into the contemporary text to equip the Chinese people with a strong foundation in God's Word.

About Biblica
Celebrating more than 200 years in ministry, Biblica provides God's Word to people through translation, publishing, and Bible engagement. Biblica's ministry extends worldwide, with outreach in 55 countries. Biblica has translated the Bible in more than 100 languages and is the translation sponsor and ministry publisher of the New International Version® (NIV®) of the Bible, the most widely read and trusted contemporary English translation. Through its worldwide reach, Biblica engages people with God's Word so lives are transformed through a relationship with Jesus Christ. For more information, visit Biblica.com.

Steve Johnson, Vice President, Communications • steve.johnson@biblica.com • 719-867-2618 • www.biblica.com