A book about local collectors of cultural relics and artworks was launched at a meeting of the city’s political advisory body on Thursday.

“Shanghai-style Master Collectors” has been compiled by the culture and history record committee of the CPPCC Shanghai Committee and published by the Shanghai Educational Publishing House. Its 74 articles written by or about 50 local collectors cover collecting, preservation, appraisals, businesses, auctions, exhibitions and publications.

The book also contains information of local agencies which trade in and auction cultural relics and artworks.

"The interviews with collectors initiated in 2008, when four local government departments hosted the first world conference for Chinese collectors. They interviewed some senior collectors or people having very close relationships with them and recorded their words," said Yang Zhiye, the book’s associate editor.

The book is about the Shanghainese collectors, Yang said.

Wang Shisi wrote two articles. One was about collecting and the other was about his father, who is also a collector.

"China has a 5,000-year history of civilization, which generates brilliant culture and art. From its countless branches, there is one called Shanghai-style culture, where the local collection culture is based," Wang said. "My father was a Shanghai-style collector and one of the representatives of this group."

Zhao Baobei, another local collector, shares his experiences in a piece about looking for art in Africa.

The book launch was followed by a symposium on revitalizing the city's collecting industry.