All Eyes on China at Book Fair

Two visitors at the Chinese seal exhibition in London. [Mei Jia / China Daily]

Chinese culture is taking central stage and market focus at the 2012 London Book Fair, which opens on April 16.

The book fair, one of the largest in the world, started its market-focus program in 2004, and since 2008, has partnered with the British Council to concentrate on emerging markets.

"I'm looking forward to meeting many of the Chinese authors who are coming over," the event's director, Alistair Burtenshaw, told Xinhua News Agency.

Burtenshaw is certain to be happy about the large size of the Chinese writers' delegation this year, said Joanna Burke, the culture and education counselor for the British embassy and British Council China director.

The fair's Market Focus launch on Sunday marked three days of meetings between the 21 Chinese writers and their established British counterparts on various topics, 11 exhibitions, 10 professional forums and seminars, and, of course, book launches.

The first Chinese event to be unveiled was an exhibition of original and up-to-date creations of Chinese seals and calligraphy by artist Luo Pengpeng at the Royal College of Art on Saturday.

Pre-fair events also included a China-UK forum on investment in the publishing industry, and a meeting between Chinese delegation leaders and 20 CEOs of major publishers and media groups.

Minister of General Administration of Press and Publication Liu Binjie said the Chinese side highly valued the chance to present 300 events at the fair by 180 Chinese publishers and organizations.

"The 3,000 Chinese titles translated into English will leave a unique imprint on the UK and voice for the world to hear," Liu said.