All Eyes on China at Book Fair

"We also hope the fair brings greater mutual understanding and strengthens the friendship between Britain and China," Liu said.

Joanna Burke, of the British Council, told China Daily: "The British public is very aware of the importance of China's emergence as a world power and their interest in Chinese language and culture has never been higher.

"China has a rapidly developing literary scene and with the world's second-largest economy and one of the largest publishing markets in the world, China is also a crucial publishing market."

Burtenshaw said that "China is the world's largest market by volume, and one of the most important book industries in the world that is very distinctive".

He added that more than 100 Chinese publishers are represented at the book fair.

Each year, the London Book Fair welcomes publishers from around 110 countries and regions, and 25,000 publishers, booksellers and literary agents.

"There will be wonder opportunities for them to engage with Chinese publishers and Chinese authors," he said.

London bookstore owner Michael Sheringham is also seeking to promote Chinese literature, especially contemporary work. His bookstore is organizing Chinese-themed events at the fair.

"I can only say that we are trying to increase people's awareness of Chinese literature and get them to read more of it," he said.

Sheringham hopes the Market Focus events will cause a change of scene, as more and more contemporary works have been translated in the past five years.

"Literature is one way for foreigners to get to know, understand and follow what people are experiencing and even thinking in China today. It is a bridge, as well as a cultural pleasure," he added.

Source: China Daily

Editor: Liu Fang