From 17 to 21 June, the Association maintains a distinguished presence through its dedicated stand and participates in a special section within the UAE Pavilion, “Al Bait Al Emirati,” organised by the UAE Embassy in the People’s Republic of China in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture. Through this participation, the Association showcases the UAE’s advanced publishing industry and a strategic vision to build sustainable partnerships with Chinese publishers and cultural institutions, supporting the wider reach of Emirati and Arab content in international markets.

The Association’s delegation comprises representatives from Ghaf Publishing, Ajyaal Publishing House, Kids Talents Book Trading, Thaqafa Publishing, and the Sharjah Archaeology Authority. This diverse representation adds a distinctive dimension to the UAE’s participation, reflecting the richness of the country’s cultural and creative landscape, the maturity of its publishing sector, and its ability to engage with international cultural markets and to contribute actively to the global professional publishing community.

The participation agenda includes a professional networking event that brings together Emirati and Chinese publishers for direct meetings to explore cooperation opportunities, establish partnerships, and discuss publishing rights. The event aims to foster long-term professional relationships and strengthen the presence of Emirati and Arab content in the Chinese market.

The Association will also organise a specialised panel discussion titled “Reading Trends in the Arab World and the People’s Republic of China: What Publishers Need to Know?” Moderated by Emirati author Jamal Al Shehhi, Founder of Kuttab Publishing, the session will feature Amira BuKadra, President of the Emirates Publishers Association Board and Founder of Ghaf Publishing, and Dr. Abdullah Alsharhan, Vice President of the Emirates Publishers Association and Founder of Ajyaal Publishing House. The discussion will examine developments in reading trends across both regions, highlighting reader preferences, content consumption patterns, and market dynamics, and aim to provide practical insights to support publishers seeking to expand into new markets and build sustainable partnerships.

Speaking about the participation, His Excellency Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of the Emirates Publishers Association, said: “Our participation in the Beijing International Book Fair is particularly significant, as the UAE is this year’s Guest of Honour. This occasion provides a prestigious platform to showcase the UAE’s cultural achievements and to strengthen the presence of Emirati publishers within one of the world’s largest knowledge ecosystems.”

His Excellency Al Kous also expressed his sincere appreciation and gratitude to the UAE Embassy in Beijing and the Ministry of Culture for their generous support in securing a dedicated space for the Association and Emirati publishers within Al Bait Al Emirati. He noted that this support reflects the UAE’s commitment to empowering the publishing sector and strengthening the presence of Emirati culture on the global stage.

He added: “This participation aligns with the UAE’s vision of positioning culture and knowledge as bridges for communication between people and as drivers of sustainable development. We look forward to building long-term professional relationships with our partners in China to enhance knowledge exchange, open new markets for publishers and creators in both countries, and further consolidate the UAE’s position as a regional and global hub for publishing and knowledge.”

This participation gains added significance through the UAE’s selection as Guest of Honour at the fair, reflecting the country’s growing stature on the global cultural map and underscoring the success of its efforts to build bridges of civilisational dialogue and cultural exchange with communities worldwide. Through such initiatives, the Emirates Publishers Association continues to empower Emirati publishers and expand their presence in promising international markets.