Six years after India was hosted at the Beijing International Book Fair, China is the guest of honour at this year's New Delhi World Book Fair that begins here on January 9.
With 81 publishing houses and organisations, 9 authors and over 255 delegates China hopes to strengthen the ties with India while providing a glimpse into its history and heritage.
"We were invited by the NDBF to attend as a guest of honour and we hope the event will further deepen the friendship between the two countries which are both ancient civilisations," Lin Liying, Director, Beijing International Book Fair said speaking through a translator.
Even before the fair began, Chinese novelist Feng Tang has pulled out from the event.
Tang's translated work 'Stray Birds' of poet Rabindranath Tagore was taken off shelves by his publisher in China after it was labelled blasphemous and vulgar by some, late last year.
When asked about it Liying said the decision to not participate was "the author's personal decision."
Meanwhile, the other authors from China include the much translated writer Liu Zhenyun, contemporary best seller Mai Jia whose 'Decoded' is a famous book published by Penguin. Wang Xufeng, an authority on Chinese tea, Xi Chuan, one of China's influential poets, Shu Ting, acclaimed children's author Cao Wenxuan, Lan Lan, Xiong Liang and Xu Zechen.
Books comprise the main part of the China pavilion, which is spread over 1200 square kilometeres at the Hall no 7 of Pragati Maidan.
"More than 10,000 copies of over 5000 titles in Chinese, English and Hindi languages will be showcased at the pavilion," Liying said.
A total of 67 guest of honour events will be held by China in New Delhi and in Kolkata.
The highlights of the China pavilion include display of traditional Chinese garden style, showcase of paper making, publishing and printing in ancient China, a daily live show of wood block printing and a china tea cultural show.
24 illustration works by prize winning young Chinese artists will be on display.
Cultural exchanges between the two countries will be showcased in an India-China cultural contacts photo exhibition of over 150 photos.
The pavillion also hosts over 300 Chinese original illustrations for children exhibition.
"150 books reflecting China's political, economic, cultural and social life are being brought to help Indian public to understand current China," Liying said.
"In 2010, India attended the Beijing Book Fair as a guest and 6 years later we are guests here. We hope to further deepen our friendship through this," she said.
