Chinese Publishers Forge Global Ties at Frankfurt Book Fair
Under the banner of "Reading China," more than 80 domestic institutions converged on the 78th Frankfurt Book Fair this week. The delegation, organized by the China National Publications Import & Export Group, transformed the fair’s center into a hub for international rights negotiations, academic partnerships, and contemporary cultural exchange.
By Corp and Tech·October 16, 2026·2 min read·282 reads
The five-day event at the Messe Frankfurt exhibition center saw a broad spectrum of Chinese output, ranging from traditional classics to digital innovation from companies like Tencent and miHoYo. By integrating creative exhibits inspired by Dunhuang and Sanxingdui with high-level academic discussions, the pavilion moved beyond static displays to present a multidimensional view of the country’s evolving literary landscape.
Practical cooperation defined the week, with 55 distinct symposia and signing ceremonies. Notable agreements included Zhejiang University Press finalizing a global e-book distribution deal with De Gruyter Brill, alongside various joint-publishing contracts signed with Springer Nature. These partnerships extended to markets in Italy, Russia, Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates, signaling a robust expansion in international copyright licensing.
Personal connection remained a core focus, highlighted by a conversation on the Global Stage between writer Zhang Yiwei and German author Yandé Seck. Their discussion on the "disappearance of the nearby" bridged the gap between daily life in Shanghai and Frankfurt, grounding abstract cultural exchange in human experience. From the Comprehensive Collection of Ancient Chinese Paintings to the latest science fiction titles, the fair underscored a concerted effort to move international perception of China from superficial observation to deeper, text-based understanding.
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