RIYADH: The deepening cultural exchange between Saudi Arabia and China took center stage at the Riyadh International Book Fair, marked by a strong Chinese presence among both visitors and publishing houses.
This year’s event featured a special session on “Trading Rights between Arab and Chinese Publishing Houses,” where publishers from both sides explored ways to expand collaboration, including strengthening literary and business ties.
One of the fair’s main attractions is the “Read China” pavilion, a vibrant space showcasing Chinese books translated into Arabic. Staffed by Chinese representatives fluent in Arabic, the booth offers visitors an engaging cultural and linguistic experience.
Among them was Tao Ruipeng, a Chinese Muslim who introduced himself by his Arabic name, Ghaith.
Speaking to Arab News, he expressed enthusiasm about the growing Saudi interest in Chinese culture.
“The Riyadh Book Fair is a great opportunity for cultural exchange between Saudi Arabia and China,” he said. “We’re not only here to sell books — the main goal is to communicate with Saudis. There’s a huge turnout of people eager to learn about Chinese literature and language.”
Tao added that many visitors were particularly interested in books about Chinese language learning, reflecting Saudis’ increasing curiosity about Chinese culture and education.
The book fair, which runs until Oct. 11, also featured a cultural seminar hosted by the Center for Research and Intercommunication Knowledge, highlighting renowned Chinese novelist Mai Jia, a leading voice in contemporary Chinese literature.
During the session, Mai shared insights from his literary journey and discussed how his works have connected with readers around the world through translation.
He reflected on the role of the novel in Arab culture, describing it as a form that mirrors history, identity and shared human experience.
“This is my first visit to Saudi Arabia, and I’m very pleased to be part of the Riyadh Book Fair,” Mai said. “It’s inspiring to see how literature can build bridges between cultures and open new paths of understanding.”
Through initiatives like these, the Riyadh International Book Fair continues to strengthen its reputation as a hub for cultural diplomacy, with the Saudi-Chinese exchange serving as one prominent example.
