Book fair attracts more digital and foreign publishers

By Mei Jiameijia@chinadaily.迷你倉com.cnThe 20th Beijing International Book Fair will kick off at the new China International Exhibition Center in Beijing's Shunyi district on Wednesday. This year, Saudi Arabia is the country of honor.One of the world's key book gatherings, the 2013 BIBF has already attracted 2,267 book/publishing organizations from 76 countries and regions. They will share an array of publications, in print or digital.More digital publishers are joining the book fair. They will communicate with their international peers on various forums.Children's reading events will also be a focus at the book fair, as the Chinese market is considered to have high potential in children's publishing business.One of the organizers, Zhang Jichen with China National Publications Import and Export (Group) Corporation, says more middle- and small-sized publishers from abroad are attracted to join the fair this year, an increase of 8 percent compared with 2012."It shows Chinese books' increasing international influence, along with Chinese market's growing attraction," Zhang says.Copyright trade will continue to play a key role in the event. In 2012, 3,298 contracts on copyright trade were made during the book fair, making up 24 percent of the year's total amount, according to Wang Hua, an official at the State General Administration of Press and Publication, Radio, Film and Television.Chinese books that attract foreign readers include literature, traditional culture, science and the country's mode of development.With "books, human being's royal friend" as the theme, Cultural Attache of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia Saleh Alqasoumi says they will自存倉present the colorful aspects of Saudi Arabian culture, including architecture, arts and costumes.If you goThe following are a slice of the BIBF events you may not want to miss:Beijing International Publishing Forum9 am-3:30 pm, Aug 27, Beijing International Hotel Conference CenterA key publishing gathering held annually a day before the opening of BIBF, the forum invites core speakers from the world's leading publishers and Chinese professionals to discuss the hottest issue facing the business. This year, they'll look at publishing in all-media.Six BIBF 10+10 Meetings for international publishersAug 28-Sept 1, China International Exhibition CenterIt's a rare chance for copyright managers to meet and talk about business and latest trends. All the meetings will be held solely in English so that nothing gets lost in translation.BIBF Writers' Night7 pm, Aug 31, UCCA, 798 Art ZoneChinese writers Yang Zhijun and Jiang Nan will talk with five peers from Russian.A talk between Saudi Arabian and Chinese writers10-12 am, Aug 30, China International Exhibition CenterThirty-four writers and scholars from Saudi Arabia hold lectures and talks on various topics with their Chinese peers. Among the talks is one on the mutual influences in literature.Shandong writers eventsAug 28-Sept 1, China International Exhibition Center and National Museum of Modern Chinese LiteratureThis year writers from Shandong province will be highlighted during the book fair. Led by China's Nobel Prize laureate Mo Yan, they will bring a series of talks and lectures and book launches, together with a special meeting with German top writers including Judith Kuckart and Volker Braun.迷你倉新蒲崗