The 2025 South Africa-Cape Town Chinese Theme Book Fair officially opened this weekend, bringing a vibrant celebration of literature and cultural exchange to the city. The event, held in Cape Town, aims to deepen the connection between China and South Africa through the power of books.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Li Nan, who chaired the meeting on behalf of the Chinese Publishing Delegation, emphasised the role of books as a “bridge to promote mutual understanding and communication between different countries and different nations.”

“We are especially proud to present this China-Cape Book Fair, adding brilliant hues to this already vibrant bridge of cultural change,” Li stated.

“Through these books, we hope to build a bridge that crosses time and space, so that South African friends can get to know China better, and so that the Chinese people can better understand South Africa and African culture.”

The book fair showcases a wide array of Chinese publications, carefully selected to offer South African readers a comprehensive view of China. The collection includes classic works on the country’s 5,000-year history and contemporary titles covering everything from traditional arts and food culture to modern advancements in artificial intelligence and 5G communication.

The Consul General of the Chinese Consulate in Cape Town also spoke at the event, highlighting the importance of literature in a digital age.

“Unlike fragmented online information, books are more suitable for readers’ deep thinking, with more rigorous content, more systemic knowledge, and a more comfortable reading experience,” he said.

He expressed his belief that the fair would serve as a “visual feast” and “a window to the charms of China.”

The event was also welcomed by local partners, including the Independent Media Group and Loot Company. The CEO of Independent Media Group South Africa described the fair as a “living platform for exchange, one that fosters education, publishing innovation, and mutual respect.”

He said that the fair is a reminder that stories, whether spoken, written, or illustrated, are among the most powerful tools we have to connect with one another.

Tan Fangzheng, Editor-in-Chief of Higher Education Press Co., Ltd., spoke about the role of culture in building friendships. 

“We have to use the culture to make friends,” and that “we should do a fast speed and high-quality publication to make sure work is the media for the citizens to read and learn the new current technology,” he said.

Ge Qingwen, President of Yilin Press, a specialized translation publishing house, shared his company’s mission of facilitating cross-cultural exchange. “

The China Cape Book Fair is a great honor for me to speak here as a representative of Chinese publishing,” he said.

Ge highlighted his company’s role in introducing works by South African Nobel Prize winners to Chinese readers, as well as a book by comedian Trevor Noah.

He said that through the books on display, “we hope our South African friends will gain a deeper understanding for a real, multidimensional, and comprehensive China.”

The fair, which is a collaboration between top Chinese publishing houses and South African partners, is seen as a significant step in strengthening the “people-to-people foundation” of the strategic partnership between the two nations.

IOL News

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