The opening of the Chinese section is attended by representatives of the Serbian Ministry of Culture, Chinese officials and the Chinese Ambassador to Serbia. [Photo/cri.cn]

The 59th International Belgrade Book Fair is seeking to strengthen friendship, deepen mutual understanding, and encourage strategic partnership between Serbia and China.?

China is this year's guest of honor of the International Belgrade Book Fair, which is based on the slogan "Books deepen friendships, cooperation builds the future".

The opening of the Chinese section was attended by representatives of the Serbian Ministry of Culture, Chinese officials and the Chinese Ambassador to Serbia.

China is this year's guest of honor of the International Belgrade Book Fair. [photo/cctv.com]

For the first time in the fair's history, the guest of honor has 1,000 square meters for its display. It is also bringing a 200-member delegation, including 100 representatives from 60 publishing companies.

Chinese official Sun Shoushan expressed satisfaction that China is partaking in the Book Fair, adding that this is the most important event of its kind in the region.?

"The Belgrade international book fair is one of the most important book fairs in central and eastern Europe. China, as this year's guest of honor, has opened a window for the people of Serbia to see and get a better understanding about China. The event provides an important platform for publishing communication and cooperation between the two countries," Sun said.

The Belgrade international book fair was founded in 1956, and has become the largest book fair in southeastern Europe, and is the third largest in Europe.?

Toward the end of the fair, China will present writers, books and publications. It will also organize meetings of writers and publishers, book promotions, discussions and Chinese language lessons.?

"We are very happy to read Chinese books in Serbia. Our Chinese is not so good, and we cannot understand the books. But we are reading the translated versions of Chinese books," said a Serbian student.

The Belgrade Mayor says that a few months ago, a bilateral agreement was signed in the area of publishing and translation. This has resulted in a greater number of Serbian and Chinese writers being translated, and a higher level of cultural exchange.

The Book Fair runs from October 26 to November 2.

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