The 27th Beijing International Book Fair kicked off on Saturday with more than 700 diverse activities to be launched on site and online amid the coronavirus pandemic.
It is the first time the annual event was held both online and offline since its launch in 1986 and it's introducing a first-of-its-kind online copyright purchase platform titled "Rights Link."
"This platform can meets customers' demands for a time-unlimited exhibition throughout the year, offering 24/7/365 trade services," said Lin Liying, deputy general manager of China National Publications Import & Export (Group) Corporation.
People read book at the 26th Beijing International Book Fair. /CFP
With Cuba as the country of honor, this year's book fair feature a wide variety of activities such as an international publishing forum and exhibition on Cuban culture and art.
The book fair also adopts advanced technologies like 5G and VR for various cultural activities such as exhibitions, promotions, seminars and online livestreams.
According to the organizers, nearly 1,400 exhibitors from 97 countries and regions had registered for the event online as of Friday with more than 38,000 domestic and foreign books uploaded.
A digital reading area during the 26th Beijing International Book Fair. /CFP
This year's event, featuring 200 new exhibitors, observes half of the top 50 international publishers and 31 publishers from the countries and regions along the Belt and Road participate in the event.
The book fair is co-hosted by the National Press and Publication Administration, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Beijing municipal government, the China Writers Association and the Publishers Association of China.