The 2026 Paris Book Festival took place at the Grand Palais in Paris recently. The event brought together nearly 450 publishers and over 1,200 writers from across the globe, attracting more than 110,000 readers. The Chinese publishing delegation presented a curated selection of fine publications and organized a rich array of cultural events. Through book exhibitions, literary dialogues and intangible cultural heritage performances, the delegation showcased the achievements of China’s publishing industry in the new era and the charm of Chinese culture, building a bridge for exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations.

The Chinese publishing delegation ranked among the largest foreign exhibitors at this year’s festival. In a prime location of the exhibition hall, the delegation set up a “La Chine en Lecture” (“Reading China”) booth, featuring themed sections covering culture and tourism integration, science fiction, original comics, and children’s publishing. More than 1,200 volumes of over 600 publications were displayed in multiple languages.

Meanwhile, the “Encountering China” Chinese Culture Themed Exhibition made its debut at the festival, presenting over 260 types of books and cultural and creative products. The delegation also staged a series of cultural performances that integrated intangible cultural heritage craftsmanship with book publishing, conveying the warmth of people-to-people exchanges.

“Cultural exchanges have always been an important part of France-China relations. People of the two countries deeply admire and appreciate each other’s cultures,” said Sylvie Bermann, the former French Ambassador to China. “The diverse exhibits offer the French public a valuable opportunity to feel the pulse of China’s development and experience the allure of Chinese culture. I look forward to more Chinese publishers and writers participating in events in France to further boost cultural exchanges and intellectual communications between the two nations.”