NANJING - China has become the biggest Bible publishers in the world after printing its 100 millionth, according to the country's only authorized Bible-printing company.

On Thursday, Qiu Zhonghui, chairman of the board of Amity Printing Co. Ltd., which is based in the eastern Chinese city of Nanjing, said the 100 millionth copy was printed in July.

About 60 million holy books, including nine ethnic minority language editions, have been printed by Amity Printing. The company has provided 40 million copies in over 90 languages to around 70 countries and regions in the world, said Qiu.

Amity Printing is a joint venture between China's Amity Foundation and the United Bible Societies. The company has been publishing the Bible since 1988.

Due to Chinese government policies, Amity Printing benefits from being exempt from various taxes when producing the Bible.

There are more than 70 sales outlets nationwide that sell the book, Qiu added.

China has more than 16 million Christians, 55,000 churches or gathering venues, 36,000 missionaries and 100,000 church volunteers. In addition, it has 18 divinity and Bible schools with 1,800 seminarians.