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From Beijing to the world: A journey through books, culture and exchange

China 19:47, 22-Jun-2026

Zaruhi Poghosyan

Asia;China

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The 32nd Beijing International Book Fair that ran from June 17 to 21, 2026, brought together 1,700 exhibitors from 82 countries under one roof. I paid a visit, curious to see whether a fair of this scale, ambitiously claiming to connect the world's publishing industries, could possibly live up to its reputation.

I arrived at the China National Convention Center on a Saturday morning with a plan to weave my way through the country pavilions, get a feel for what different publishing cultures were putting forward, and soak up the particular, magical kind of energy that only exists when you step into a room full of thousands of books.

Except that this was not a mere room.

The 32nd Beijing International Book Fair at China National Convention Center, June 17 to 21, 2026. /Zaruhi Poghosyan

Multimedia presentation at the 32nd Beijing International Book Fair at China National Convention Center, June 17 to 21, 2026. /Zaruhi Poghosyan

Visitors at the 32nd Beijing International Book Fair at China National Convention Center, June 17 to 21, 2026. /Zaruhi Poghosyan

A stand showcasing major works by Xi Jinping in various languages, the 32nd Beijing International Book Fair at China National Convention Center, June 17 to 21, 2026. /Zaruhi Poghosyan

A unique installation showcasing ancient manuscript copies at the 32nd Beijing International Book Fair at China National Convention Center, June 17 to 21, 2026. /Zaruhi Poghosyan

Manuscript copies at the 32nd Beijing International Book Fair at China National Convention Center, June 17 to 21, 2026. /Zaruhi Poghosyan

Visitors at the 32nd Beijing International Book Fair at China National Convention Center, June 17 to 21, 2026. /Zaruhi Poghosyan

Russian pavilion at the 32nd Beijing International Book Fair at China National Convention Center, June 17 to 21, 2026. /Zaruhi Poghosyan

Hunan pavilion at the 32nd Beijing International Book Fair at China National Convention Center, June 17 to 21, 2026. /Zaruhi Poghosyan

A literary discussion in the Russian pavilion at the 32nd Beijing International Book Fair at China National Convention Center, June 17 to 21, 2026. /Zaruhi Poghosyan

The 32nd Beijing International Book Fair had taken over the entire Phase I building of the China National Convention Center – all 60,000 square meters of it – and within ten minutes of walking in, I had already lost my bearings twice and stumbled into three different countries' publishing pavilions.

Not that I minded at all.

The scale of BIBF was genuinely hard to prepare for. Over 1,700 exhibitors from 82 countries and regions, more than 220,000 titles on display, and nearly 1,000 events scheduled across five days. The weekend dates, June 20 and 21, were open to the public, and the crowds on Saturday reflected that. Families with children in tow, students with bags already overflowing, and plenty of people like me who had simply come to wander and enjoy the lively atmosphere.

The pavilion of the United Arab Emirates, this year's Country of Honor, at the 32nd Beijing International Book Fair at China National Convention Center, June 17 to 21, 2026. /Zaruhi Poghosyan

A musical performance at the pavilion of Saudi Arabia at the 32nd Beijing International Book Fair at China National Convention Center, June 17 to 21, 2026. /Zaruhi Poghosyan

The United Arab Emirates was this year's Country of Honor, presenting under the name "Al Bait Al Emarati" – Arabic for "United Arab Emirates House" – and they had gone all out. Two booths, a program of cultural exchange events, and an energy reminiscent of a cultural embassy.

The IP Licensing Zone, which was new this year, had brought together over 120 domestic and international IPs – cartoons, film and television, intangible cultural heritage – one area, with immersive exhibitions that blurred the line between browsing and experiencing. It felt less like a trade floor and more like a preview of things that would eventually become films, games and merchandise. A little overwhelming, but in the best way.

A presentation at the at the 32nd Beijing International Book Fair at China National Convention Center, June 17 to 21, 2026. /Zaruhi Poghosyan

Visitors at the at the 32nd Beijing International Book Fair at China National Convention Center, June 17 to 21, 2026. /Zaruhi Poghosyan

Children's books at the 32nd Beijing International Book Fair at China National Convention Center, June 17 to 21, 2026. /Zaruhi Poghosyan

Art displayed at the 32nd Beijing International Book Fair at China National Convention Center, June 17 to 21, 2026. /Zaruhi Poghosyan

Visitors at the at the 32nd Beijing International Book Fair at China National Convention Center, June 17 to 21, 2026. /Zaruhi Poghosyan

Some of the books purchased at the 32nd Beijing International Book Fair at China National Convention Center, June 17 to 21, 2026. /Zaruhi Poghosyan

A joint booth for online publications had been set up for the first time, and a dedicated stage hosted web literature authors – a good reminder of how vast China's online reading culture is, and how seriously it is now being taken as a publishing category in its own right.

I left in the late afternoon with a bag heavier than I had intended and a nearly endless list of books and authors I wanted to look up. I'll be back next year with a better plan and a bigger bag.

Editor's note: Zaruhi Poghosyan is a multimedia editor for CGTN Digital. This article is part of China, Soft Focus – a slow journalism series that offers textured, human-centered glimpses into China through measured pace and intimate storytelling.