Children look at a three-dimensional book display at last year's event.[Photo by Wang Zhuangfei/China Daily]

Lin says 1,600 foreign exhibitors are attending. "This year, we are welcoming 48 new publishers to the fair. In total, half of the exhibitors are from Asia, which clearly proves the BIBF's global influence, especially in Asia. British publishers now account for the largest proportion of overseas stands," she adds.

"All the major international publishers are interested in telling better stories about China's development, its ideals and wisdom in dealing with international affairs," says Zhao Haiyun, a member of the import and export bureau under the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

Zhao recalls the first book fair back in 1986, which was more like a traveling exhibition of imported books. Over the years, it has continued to develop and is playing an increasing important role in building cooperation between Chinese publishers and their global peers.

Zhao cites the example of Liu Cixin's Three Body trilogy, which sold 1.46 million English-language copies. It has been warmly received in Japan, where the first Japanese translation of The Three-Body Problem, the trilogy's first book, has just been released, helping to create a buzz about translated works from China.