"on" more professional than "about"?

[keannu]

Is it true that "on" is more professional than "about" when it's used as "regarding"? I've heard tons of on to replace about but what do you think if the difference?

ex)It's a book on(about) the Chinese economy.

[Bamako3]

1. It's a book on the Chinese economy.
2. It's a book about the Chinese economy.

Either way it is fine. #2 sounds more scholarly to me.

[Raymott]

Is it true that "on" is more professional than "about" when it's used as "regarding"? I've heard tons of on to replace about but what do you think if the difference?

ex)It's a book on(about) the Chinese economy.

There are both good. I wouldn't say the distinction is important.
Generally, we'd say, in a casual conversation, "What's the book about?", not "What's the book on?"
(Don't delete "the".)

[BobK]

1. It's a book on the Chinese economy.
2. It's a book about the Chinese economy.

Either way it is fine. #2 sounds more scholarly to me.

The 'the' is fine here. If it was a book on economics, you could strike out a 'the'. But it's not; it's a book about the economy of a particular place.

b