Variety to launch in China

US entertainment title Variety has confirmed plans to launch a Chinese edition in June, the first foreign language edition in its 99-year history. The Hollywood 'bible' becomes the latest in a long line of foreign magazines -- including Maxim, Elle and Newsweek -- to rollout China editions, in response to strong projected adspend levels. Variety's publisher, Reed Business Information (RBI), also expects to introduce as many as 12 titles in the Mainland this year. RBI currently publishes three titles in China, and recently entered into a strategic alliance with IDG to expand its magazine publishing operations in the country.