CIBTC holds exhibition of Chinese publications and cultural products in South Africa
A touring exhibition of China-themed publications and cultural creative products recently opened in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The event was co-hosted by the China International Book Trading Corporation (CIBTC) under China International Communications Group (CICG) and the Johannesburg Business School (JBS) at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). A Chinese delegation comprising representatives from CIBTC and 11 Chinese publishing houses participated in the exhibition.
The exhibition comprised three sections dedicated to China-themed books, outstanding publications, and cultural creative products. It highlighted multilingual editions of books by Chinese leaders, while also featuring hundreds of books covering Chinese culture, history, society, science and technology, education, and regional topics.
Zhao Haiyun, minister counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in South Africa, said China and South Africa have considerable potential for closer cooperation in publishing. South African scholars are keen to publish high-quality academic works in China, while Chinese publishers are looking to expand exchanges with South African partners. Zhao expressed hope that publishers in the two countries would explore further opportunities for cooperation in areas such as editorial planning, content editing, and reading promotion.
Visitors browse books during an exhibition of China-themed publications and cultural creative products in Johannesburg, South Africa, Sept. 7, 2026. [Photo provided to CIBTC]
Busani Ngcaweni, director of the Centre for Public Policy and African Studies at UJ, said books play an important role in cultural exchange and that the publications on display offer South African readers insights into China's history, culture, development, and contemporary life.
Lebo Nkosi, a master's student at JBS, said he was particularly interested in China's experience and achievements in poverty alleviation. He said he had found many books on the subject at the exhibition, all in English, which were very helpful for learning about China's development.
A literature exchange and sharing session is held during an exhibition of China-themed publications and cultural creative products in Johannesburg, South Africa, Sept. 7, 2026. [Photo provided to CIBTC]
A literature exchange and sharing session was also held during the event, bringing together Chinese and South African publishers, including Jacana Media and UJ Press, for discussions on publishing cooperation and copyright trade.
The delegation visited the National Library of South Africa to learn about its collections, digitization efforts, and public services. The two sides discussed cooperation in areas such as youth reading programs, the joint development and sharing of digital resources, and the exchange of publications, and other cultural content.
The delegation also attended the Open Book Festival, engaging with publishers, cultural companies, and other industry representatives.