The 31st Beijing International Book fair 2025
Just three days left before the Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF) kicks off. This thing is massive. It started way back in 1986 and has turned into one of the biggest book fairs in the world—second only to Frankfurt. It’s China’s main event for all things books, where global publishing meets Chinese readers. Think of it as a bookworm’s international buffet.
By 2024, around 1,600 exhibitors from 71 countries showed up. This year, it’s expected to be even bigger—1,700+ from 80 countries. Back in 2023, over 200,000 people came through the doors in five days. It’s not just publishers either—expect bloggers, translators, agents, librarians, film scouts, and tons of curious readers. According to the Combined Book Exhibit, around 30,000 of them are publishing professionals. Basically, it’s wall-to-wall book people.
So what’s it like? Imagine rows of huge booths, never-ending book stalls, and side events like author talks, mini-exhibits, panels, and award shows. If you’re an author, this is your shot to see how Chinese book culture works in real time. The first three days are only for the industry crowd, and then the public rolls in on the weekend (June 21–22). A lot of the big sessions—like the PubTech Conference and the World Children’s Book Forum—happen during the industry days.
And heads up: you’ll hear a lot of Mandarin. So bring a translator or at least prep a few key phrases. Plus, short-form video is huge now. Think livestreams, TikTok (Douyin), and Little Red Book (Xiaohongshu)—you’ll see a lot of influencers doing their thing right at the fair.
Authors, listen up
English-language children’s books are on fire in China. Every kid learns English in school, so books that teach or tell stories in English are super popular. There’s even a whole Picture Book Fair inside BIBF, with game zones and activity stages. Big names like Usborne and Nosy Crow show up every year, so if you’re coming with a kids’ book, bring your A-game—colorful displays and interactive demos go a long way.
What to Expect at BIBF
The fair takes place at the China National Convention Center (CNCC), right in Olympic Green. You know that giant white building near the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube? That’s the one. It’s huge—six exhibition floors, side halls, and even hotels built in. So yeah, map it out ahead of time.
Check out the Imported Books Pavilion and kids’ sections. If you’ve got children’s titles, the Picture Book Fair is where you want to be. There’s even a storytime stage where you can do a quick reading or demo. Booths are usually organized by publisher or country, and if you’re self-published, you might want to look into shared booths like the one from the Combined Book Exhibit. They display a bunch of indie authors in one spot.
Cultural stuff you should know
Now for the networking part: it’s busy. Like really busy. People are rolling around with suitcases full of books. It’s also a rights market, so if you’re trying to pitch your book for translation or distribution, this is the place. About 40% of rights deals here are for foreign titles. So make your stuff pop—bring visual previews, maybe even a bilingual folder. Oh, and carry business cards. In China, you give and receive them with both hands and take a second to read them before you tuck them away.
Meetings might start with tea or small talk. Building relationships (they call it guanxi) is a big deal, so don’t rush things. A smile, a “Ni hao,” and a handshake are perfect. No need to bow or anything, but do give a respectful nod to elders.
Dress smart but don’t overdo it. Flashy clothes = not it. And fun fact: slurping soup? Totally polite here. It’s actually a compliment to the chef. Also, don’t try to split the bill—people usually treat, and trying to pay your share might come off as rude.