Surging popularity of Chinese books at Bangkok book fair

Akkrapol Mungnirandr, 52, picked up a book on Chinese culture at a Chinese book stall at the Bangkok International Book Fair 2024, eager to read the characters he knew.

“I am interested in the Chinese language and have learnt some Chinese words. I’d like to learn more about the country’s great culture through reading,” said Akkrapol.

The Bangkok resident was among the throngs of readers who flocked to more than 700 Chinese books at the book fair, which brought together six Chinese publishers to open a window to China for international publishers and Thai readers.

Visitors flock to a Chinese book stall at the Bangkok International Book Fair 2024 in Thailand last week. Xinhua

China Renmin University Press, one of the six Chinese publishers, highlighted its series on Chinese modernization research and books reflecting China’s contemporary society, politics and economy, which quickly attracted the attention of many publishers and readers.

The press also held copyright trade talks with more than 20 publishers from Thailand, Vietnam, India and other countries, paving the way for broader copyright cooperation in the future.

Southeast Asian countries are inclined to learn from China’s development experience amid the complex international and regional environment, said Wirun Phichaiwongphakdee, director of the Thailand-China Research Center of the Belt and Road Initiative, who has worked with several Chinese publishers to translate many Chinese books.

The Thai scholar added that he would like to see more Chinese books being translated and published in Thailand, to provide Thai readers with references for a more comprehensive understanding of Chinese modernization.

The 12-day book fair, which ended on Monday, was Charassri Jiraphasthe’s third participation with the Chinese publishing delegation.

“The Chinese publishing delegation had only one booth in the first year of participation,” recalled Charassri, a Thai professor at Beijing Foreign Studies University. “But this year there are three booths!” She attributed this expansion to the Thai people’s enthusiasm for learning Chinese.

The Thai professor also brought her book about the changes in Chinese people’s lives that she has witnessed over the past 20 years. She wants to build a bridge for Thai people to better understand today’s China.

Higher Education Press, another Chinese publishing house, focused on promoting vocational education textbooks at the book fair, including those for the Luban Workshop and those featured “Chinese plus vocational skills.” “We hope these textbooks can promote the cultivation of skilled talents in the Belt and Road Initiative partner countries and contribute to local social and economic development,” said Long Jie, deputy editor-in-chief of the press. (Xinhua)