2026 Southern China Book Fair Opens in Guangzhou with APEC Focus
The 2026 Southern China Book Fair opened at the China Import and Export Fair Complex in Guangzhou on August 27, 2026, running through August 31, 2026, to establish a regional publishing exchange platform ahead of the upcoming APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Shenzhen, according to municipal reports from Guangzhou Municipal Government.
APEC Cultural Pavilion Debuts at Canton Fair Complex
The main venue anchors a hybrid framework that extends across 21 prefecture-level cities, Hong Kong, Macau, and Kashgar through 437 branch venues. These provincial branches encompass a total operational footprint of 1.203 million square meters, hosting 1,579 offline reading events.
Diplomatic momentum drives the core layout of this year’s exhibition. According to Guangzhou Municipal Government, the main venue features a dedicated APEC Culture Hall designed to serve as a cultural curtain-raiser for the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting scheduled for November 18–19, 2026, in Shenzhen. The hall integrates exhibitions, interactive displays, and a market bazaar combining five thematic literary threads: APEC, overseas Chinese literature, Russian, American-Canadian, and Central-South American works. Over 300 classic titles from global publishing houses are displayed within this zone.
Thailand Featured as Guest Country of Honour
Thailand takes center stage at the 2026 exhibition as the designated Guest Country of Honour. The Thai national pavilion highlights three core pillars: overseas Chinese cultural heritage, bilateral literary exchange, and multicultural diversity. Notable installations inside the pavilion include a film-prop exhibition for the production Dear You, which illustrates the historical experiences of overseas Chinese communities in Southeast Asia, alongside more than 50 specialized monographs on overseas Chinese studies.
International participation extends far beyond the guest pavilion. According to Guangzhou Municipal Government, the fair incorporates 12 internationally themed pavilions representing Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Africa, supplemented by an immersive “international bookstore” zone. Exhibition resources draw from more than 30 countries and regions. Consuls general and diplomatic envoys from over 20 nations—including Thailand, Singapore, Greece, and Poland—are participating directly in publishing and cultural exchange sessions.
Global Author Lineup and Copyright Trade Dialogues
The publishing showcase brings together more, than 300 domestic and international publishing institutions, displaying upwards of 500,000 book titles and cultural creative items. Major global houses such as Penguin Random House and Oxford University Press are joined by prominent international figures. Nearly 30,000 overseas original editions are featured in the exhibition halls.
Additionally, a dedicated science fiction dialogue joins Chinese sci-fi writer Chen Qiufan with international counterparts. Giovanni Hoepli, Vice President of the International Publishers Association, participates in structured conversations concerning international copyright trade.
Local Heritage and Trade Literature
Local programming highlights regional traditions alongside contemporary publishing. Exhibitions focus heavily on Cantonese cuisine, traditional Chinese printing techniques, and traditional Chinese medicine. Marking China’s host year for APEC, a full-length reportage publication detailing Guangdong province’s foreign trade developments, written by author He Jianming, made its official debut at the opening ceremonies.
The fair also hosts its inaugural International Copyright Exchange Conference, facilitating targeted business matching sessions between domestic publishing houses and foreign enterprises.