Published: 12:53 AM, 11 July 2026
35th Beijing International Book Fair: Where the World's Publishers Meet China
Mesbahuddin Ahmed
More than 1,700 exhibitors from 82 countries and regions, including Bangladesh, participated in the 35th Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF) from 17 to 22 June 2026. For more than four decades, BIBF has grown from a national publishing exhibition into Asia's most international book fair and one of the world's leading platforms for publishing exchange, copyright trading, and cultural cooperation.
The fair demonstrated that publishing today is about much more than books. It has become a powerful vehicle for cultural diplomacy, mutual understanding, and international collaboration. This year's program featured translation initiatives, co-publishing projects, rights negotiations, author events, and reading activities organized by publishers, embassies, and cultural institutions, creating opportunities for dialogue among people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Over the past forty years, BIBF has evolved into a truly global marketplace where publishers, literary agents, rights professionals, and authors come together to buy and sell publishing rights and explore new partnerships. Leading international publishing houses—including Simon & Schuster, Penguin, Fischer, HarperCollins, Sage UK, and Springer—were among the participants, reflecting China's growing importance not only as one of the world's largest book markets but also as a major producer of publishing content.
China's publishing industry itself has undergone remarkable transformation. While once dominated by state-owned publishers serving primarily the domestic market, many publishing houses now operate with greater autonomy and an increasingly international outlook. They are active participants in global copyright trading and have become important partners for publishers around the world. BIBF also provides an important platform for publishers from emerging markets. This year, publishers from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka exhibited together under the Silk Road Club banner with the support of Life Tree, a Beijing-based organization dedicated to promoting international publishing cooperation and cultural exchange.
Founded in 2021 by Zhang Mingzhou, former President of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), the Lifetree Culture Promotion Center is a non-profit organization committed to encouraging high-quality reading among children and fostering international understanding through children's literature. Its mission is to become a global leader in reading promotion and cross-cultural literary exchange.
Another notable feature of this year's fair was the Caribbean Collective pavilion, which showcased more than thirty titles from eight island nations, including Jamaica and Barbados. Their participation highlighted the growing diversity of voices entering the international publishing marketplace.
Today, BIBF is far more than a book fair—it is a bridge connecting cultures, ideas, and publishing communities across the globe.
My Publishing Partnerships at BIBF
For Ankur Prakashani, participation in BIBF has been far more than attending an international exhibition; it has become a gateway to meaningful publishing partnerships with leading Chinese publishers.
In 2024, Ankur Prakashani signed its first publishing agreement with Phoenix Juvenile & Children's Publishing Ltd., acquiring the Bengali-language rights to six titles in the Lucid Waters and Lush Mountains – Me and Nature ecological picture-book series. The books were published in Bangladesh in 2025 and received an encouraging response from young readers.
Building on this successful collaboration, both publishers expanded their partnership during the 2026 Beijing International Book Fair. They agreed to introduce the Shining Youth Sports Picture Book series as well as selected children's works by the celebrated Chinese author Huang Beijia to Bengali readers.
Another milestone was our collaboration with Jieli Publishing House. In July 2024, Ankur Prakashani was invited to join the Jieli–ASEAN Children's Book Alliance as an observer. In May 2025, we participated in the Alliance's Third Children's Book Cooperation Programme, an initiative that supports the translation and publication of outstanding Chinese children's literature in different languages through international publishing partnerships.
Through this programme, Ankur acquired the Bengali-language rights to The Fairytales in Hutong, an acclaimed four-volume series by renowned Chinese cartoonist Nie Jun. Set in the historic hutongs of old Beijing, the books beautifully combine fantasy with everyday family life through delicate hand-painted watercolour illustrations. Exploring themes of love, courage, family relationships, self-acceptance, and personal growth, the series has earned international recognition, including being selected as one of The New York Times Best Children's Books of the Year.
Our collaboration with Jieli extended far beyond copyright licensing. Throughout the editorial process, both publishers worked closely on translation, editing, proofreading, typography, and artistic design. The partnership became an enriching exchange of professional knowledge and publishing experience. The Bengali editions of the first two volumes were published in May 2026 and were proudly exhibited at this year's Beijing International Book Fair.
Ankur Prakashani also acquired the rights to two children's books from Petrel Publishing House, one of China's most respected children's publishers. Established in 1982 and affiliated with the Central China Publishing & Media Investment Holding Group, Petrel has published more than 20,000 titles with over two billion copies in print. Its award-winning publications have reached readers in more than twenty countries through extensive international copyright cooperation.
Beyond Children's Literature
My interest in Chinese publishing extends beyond children's books. For many years I have been fascinated by China's extraordinary economic transformation since the 1980s, particularly its experience in governance, public administration, rural development, poverty reduction, and the transition to a market-oriented economy.
Reflecting this interest, Ankur Prakashani has already published three Bengatranslations from China Social Sciences Press, one of China's leading academic publishers. We are currently preparing two additional Bengali translations from Foreign Languages Press, Beijing, which publishes many of China's important policy documents, historical works, and publications for international readers. Our collaboration with Foreign Languages Press began after our first meeting at the Frankfurt Book Fair, illustrating how international book fairs create enduring professional relationships that continue long after the exhibitions end.
Looking Ahead
For publishers from countries like Bangladesh, participation in BIBF is not simply about buying and selling books. It is about building lasting partnerships, expanding the exchange of ideas, and creating opportunities for readers to experience literature across languages and cultures.
As China continues to strengthen its engagement with the global publishing community, BIBF is becoming an increasingly important meeting point where copyright, creativity, and cultural dialogue converge. For Ankur Prakashani, these collaborations represent not only successful publishing ventures but also a shared commitment to bringing the finest works of world literature to Bengali readers while strengthening literary and cultural ties between Bangladesh and China.
Mesbahuddin Ahmed is Director of
Ankur Prakashani.
