The London Book Fair Market Focus Professional and Cultural Programme, China: New Perspectives, New Concepts, which will showcase Chinese publishers and writers at The London Book Fair (LBF) in April, was announced today - the largest Market Focus programme of events since LBF launched the Market Focus initiative in 2004.

The General Administration of Press and Publications of China (GAPP) and their partners China National Publications Import & Export (Group) Corporation (CNPIEC) and China Universal Press & Publication Co., Ltd (CUPP) have been working closely with The London Book Fair, the British Council and The Publishers Association (PA) to build a programme of professional and cultural activities both at the Fair and in the days preceding and after the Fair, at events around the UK.

The London Book Fair Market Focus programme showcases one particular country or region of note each year, with the objective of putting the spotlight on publishing trade links with this territory, its publishing industry and the opportunities for conducting business with the rest of the world.

Highlights for 2012 are:

Professional Programme

A professional programme of Market Focus seminars, events and industry debates has been created to support international publishers’ understanding of the Chinese market and highlight opportunities for mutual benefit. The main Market Focus Professional events will take place Monday 16-Wednesday 18 April, including four high-level, half-day forums at Earls Court Exhibition Centre, as follows:

1. China and Europe Publishing Forum - featuring keynote speakers the Hon. Ed Vaizey, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communications, Culture & the Creative Industries and Liu Binjie, Minister of GAPP of China

2. China-UK Digital Forum - featuring keynote speakers Liu Binjie, Minister of GAPP and Rod Bristow, President of The Publishers Association

3. CLT (Chinese Language Teaching) and ELT (English Language Teaching) Publishing Dialogue - featuring keynote speakers Wu Shulin, Vice Minister of GAPP and Martin Davidson, CEO, The British Council

4. Professional Publishing Forum Cooperation and Win-win - featuring keynote speakers Wu Shulin, Vice Minister of GAPP and Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint, Minister of State for Trade and Investment.

A further 35 seminars will take place at the Fair covering all aspects of the Chinese publishing industry. There will also be a pavilion with over 180 Chinese publishers.

For full details of the four forums and the high-level speakers, please visit www.londonbookfair.co.uk/china.

The Market Focus seminars are part of LBF’s comprehensive and varied Love Learning seminar programme of over 420 seminars, interviews, workshops taking place over the three days of the book fair, on the issues affecting the publishing industry today.

The British Council Market Focus Cultural Programme

The British Council, now in its fifth year as strategic partner of The London Book Fair, has worked in wide consultation with its official partners, industry professionals, experts in the field and on research based over a number of years in the formation of the 2012 Market Focus Cultural Programme.

The selection of writers aims to showcase the very best of Chinese literature today representing the diversity of Chinese writing in all genres and inclusion of both established names and new writers. The delegation will be hosted in the UK in collaboration with the Chinese organizing committee. Topics under discussion at the Fair will include ‘From Page to Screen’, ‘Modern Chinese Masters' ‘A Female Perspective, ‘Writing for the Digital World’, ‘Contemporary Chinese Poetry’ and ‘The Art of Publishing Literary Magazines’.

In addition to the 13 events held onsite at The London Book Fair, the authors will also take part in events at some of London’s popular cultural institutions including the Southbank Centre, The British Library, LRB, SOAS and Asia House.

The London Book Fair’s Market Focus Author of the Day on Tuesday 17 April will be Bi Feiyu, one of the most respected authors and screenwriters in China today. Bi Feiyu’s novel Three Sisters, an epic portrayal of life in modern China, won the Man Asian Literary Prize in 2010.

Alistair Burtenshaw, Director of Publishing and Books at Reed Exhibitions, said: “I am delighted to be here today with our partners to announce the China Market Focus 2012 Programme. The multiple components that make up the China Market Focus, from the showcase piece that is the China pavilion, and the four China-UK professional forums with ministerial speakers, through to the cultural programme and the extensive wider programming arranged by our Chinese partners means there is something for everyone with an interest in books, writing and publishing. We are very much looking forward to welcoming everyone to the Fair, and hope that this year’s spotlight on China provides the opportunity for further dialogue and understanding amongst international publishers, which is one of the key objectives of the Market Focus initiative.”

Zhang Fuhai, GAPP, said: "China and the UK publishing industry has a long history of cooperation and recent development has been rapid. Both sides have a strong desire to work together on a deeper level. So I am very glad that China has been chosen to be the Market Focus country of 2012 London Book Fair. The China delegation will bring over 600 publishers and 57 writers to participate in various forums, seminars, cultural events, and writer activities. I hope through these events and activities we can promote UK-China publishing exchange and cooperation; and the British people will get to know more about Chinese literature and culture.”

Susie Nicklin, Director Literature, British Council, said: “Connecting authors with new audiences through innovative, high-quality events and collaborations is at the heart of the British Council’s literature work. It has been a privilege working with our colleagues and partners in the UK and China and we look forward to showcasing the best contemporary Chinese writing as well as giving UK audiences the opportunity to experience the amazing breadth and diversity of Chinese literature today. This is also part of our ongoing work to create a cultural dialogue between our two countries, with further visits by Chinese authors to Britain taking place throughout the year as well as visits by British authors to China.”

Richard Mollet, Chief Executive of The Publishers Association, said: “The Publishers Association is delighted to be supporting the range of cultural and professional activities which make up the China Market Focus programme at The London Book Fair this year. The programme will build upon the long history of co-operation that has developed between British and Chinese publishers and will provide the chance for all publishers to learn more about opportunities in the Chinese market.”