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Preparations are well underway for the annual Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF) scheduled to open August 30 in the capital, with most of the world's top international publishers and agents already signed on for the event.
Now in its 17th year, the 2010 BIBF is expecting around 2,000 exhibitors from home and abroad with 56 countries represented. Some of the world's leading publishing groups including Pearson, HarperCollins, Reed Elsevier and Wolters Kluwer have confirmed their attendance with the fair now among the top four in the world, according to organizers.
Deputy director of BIBF's organizing committee Wu Jiangjiang said that this year's fair will highlight the latest technological advancements and new concepts in digital publishing, children's books and Chinese books overseas.
BIBF will also team up with the Chinese Writers Association and Hanban, the Office of the Chinese Language Council International, to promote local writers and Chinese language learning overseas.
"Further more, the accomplishment of the Chinese books overseas promotion programs initiated in 2006 will also be showcased at the event," said Chen Yingming, from the General Administration of Press and Publication.
"In the next 10 years, China will transfer from a massive publishing producer to a real power in this field, according to a strategic plan launched by the General Administration of Press and Publication of the People's Republic of China early this year," he added.
"This year also marks the turning point where many State-owned publishing houses and media transformed into market-oriented businesses. The effect and achievement of this reform policy will be demonstrated at BIBF."
India is BIBF's guest of honor country this year, marking 60 years of diplomatic ties between India and China.
"As India's stature among the communities of nations enhances because of its political, intellectual and economic advancements, it's natural that its publishing endeavors to get proper international acceptability and respectability," said Nagaraj Naidu from the Embassy of India, Beijing.
India was also the guest of honor country at Frankfurt Book Fair 2006, Paris Book Fair 2007 and London Book Fair 2009.
India will bring 25 major publishers to BIBF, showcasing a range of titles, from new novels to history and religion.
A special collective exhibit of Indian publications on Buddha and Buddhism will be part of the country's presentation.
Books on and by Rabindranath Tagore will mark the 150th birthday of the Indian poet and books on and by Jawaharla Nehru will celebrate 60 years Sino- Indian diplomatic relations.
The fair will be held at the China International Exhibition Center from August 30 until September 3.(By Xing Daiqi)
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