The UAE concludes an exceptional participation as the guest of honor at the 2026 Beijing International Book Fair
BEIJING, 21 JUNE / WAM / The United Arab Emirates concluded its exceptional participation as the guest of honor at the Beijing International Book Fair 2026, which was held from June 17 to 21 at the China National Convention Center in the capital, Beijing, with the participation of more than 1,700 exhibitors from 82 countries, and attracted more than 300,000 visitors.
The Emirati House was the focus of Emirati participation, as it provided visitors with an integrated cultural experience that introduced Emirati literature, the publishing movement, national heritage, innovation, and cultural and creative industries.
It highlighted the Emirati cultural scene through the participation of 30 Emirati exhibitors and the display of more than 469 publications, in a participation that strengthened the UAE’s position as a global center for culture, creativity and knowledge exchange.
The Emirati Pavilion hosted more than 140 diverse cultural events, including the arts of Al-Ayyala, Sheila, Henna, Coffee House, Sadu, and Emirati cuisine, in addition to 23 dialogue sessions, the launch of two new books, two signing ceremonies, artistic performances, workshops, and interactive experiences that reflected the diversity of the Emirati cultural scene and highlighted the country’s growing contribution to enriching global cultural dialogue.
One of the most prominent milestones in the Emirati participation is the victory by Dr. Muhammad Musa Muhammad bin Huiden, Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at the United Arab Emirates University, of the China Special Book Prize at its nineteenth session, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to enhancing academic, cultural and intellectual exchange between China and the Arab world.
The Children’s Corner at the Emirati House witnessed a wide turnout, attracting more than 2,000 children and their family members over the course of the exhibition. More than 75 storytelling sessions were provided, in addition to a variety of educational and interactive activities that contributed to consolidating the culture of reading among the younger generations and introducing them to the richness of Emirati culture.
The Emirati cultural experience extended beyond the exhibition halls, through displays of Al-Ayyala art held in four prominent commercial locations in the capital, Beijing, attracting thousands of visitors and presenting to the Chinese public one of the most prominent elements of the UAE’s intangible cultural heritage.
Opinion polls showed that 98 percent of visitors to the “Emirati House” expressed a positive impression of the experience, while 95.6 percent of them confirmed that participation contributed to enhancing their knowledge of the UAE and its culture.
The UAE’s participation as the guest of honor at the 2026 Beijing International Book Fair represents a new milestone in the growing cultural partnership between the UAE and the People’s Republic of China, and has laid the foundations for new partnerships in the fields of publishing, education, translation, innovation and creative industries.
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