At one of the world's largest publishing platforms, the United Arab Emirates is showcasing its cultural experience to the Chinese public through more than 850 titles and a diverse range of cultural and professional programmes. Publishers and intellectuals participating in the event say the presence goes beyond displaying books to building new bridges of translation and knowledge exchange between the UAE and China.
Participants and publishers at the 2026 Beijing International Book Fair told Al Bayan that the selection of the United Arab Emirates as the event's guest of honour reflects the country's growing prominence on the global cultural map, and embodies its success in building a comprehensive cultural experience that has made books and knowledge among its most prominent tools of civilisational engagement with the world.
The UAE is participating in the fair through two main pavilions: the "Emirati House" and the "Rights Pavilion". The UAE delegation comprises approximately 150 participants representing 29 entities and institutions from across government, private, and cultural sectors. The "Emirati House", spanning 500 square metres, is dedicated to introducing UAE intellectual publications and promoting national culture and heritage, while the "Rights Pavilion" focuses on building professional partnerships, signing translation agreements, and exchanging publishing rights between UAE and Chinese institutions.
The "Emirati House" features approximately 850 titles in Arabic, Chinese, and English, alongside a diverse cultural programme comprising 25 sessions and seminars exploring shared aspects of Arab and Chinese culture. It also houses a dedicated corner for children's sessions and workshops, with the participation of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood and a number of young Emirati creatives.
The pavilion will also see the launch and signing of 5 books translated between Arabic and Chinese, among them "Zayed… A Man Who Built a Nation" and "Illuminations in the Journey of a Man of Humanity", in addition to the Arabic edition of "Shanghai… Six Thousand Years… A Civilisation That Embraces All".
The Rights Pavilion, covering 144 square metres, focuses on building professional relationships between UAE and Chinese publishers and concluding agreements for book translation and the exchange of publishing rights between the two sides.
Abdulaziz Al Maamari, Director of Library Administration at Mohamed bin Zayed University for Humanities, said the university's participation within the "Emirati House" stems from its mission to disseminate knowledge and culture and to promote dialogue and civilisational engagement among peoples.
He explained that the university is presenting a selection of specialised publications in philosophy, religious studies, Islamic studies, the Arabic language, and issues of tolerance and coexistence.
Iman Al Hamadi, Director of the Literature and Knowledge Department at Dubai's Culture and Arts Authority, confirmed that the authority is participating with a collection of publications spotlighting Emirati figures and personalities who have left their mark in cultural, social, and scientific fields, with the aim of introducing new generations to the biographies of these figures and their contributions to shaping the Emirati cultural scene.
She explained that among the most notable of these publications is the series "The Emirates… People and Legacy", which covers influential Emirati personalities, noting that the project was accomplished by 10 Emirati writers and 10 Emirati illustrators and took more than a year to complete.
Sheikha Obaid Al Shamsi, representative of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat, said the authority is participating in the Beijing International Book Fair for the second consecutive year as part of its efforts to promote Emirati identity at international cultural and knowledge forums and to spread the values of tolerance, moderation, and human coexistence.
Khalid Al Hindassi, representative of the Fujairah Authority for Culture and Media, said the authority is participating in the fair with 18 titles covering diverse subjects including the history of Fujairah's rulers, maritime heritage, and children's literature.
He added that the authority will also present a workshop entitled "The Future of Culture… Fujairah's Vision in Strengthening National Identity and Civilisational Diversity".
Dr Abdullah Al Sharhan, founder of Ajyal Publishing, affirmed that the publishing house's participation in the Beijing International Book Fair is driven by its belief in the power of the book as one of the most impactful and enduring tools of civilisational communication, noting that culture has throughout history served as a bridge for the passage of ideas between peoples and civilisations.
Afra Mahmoud, co-founding partner of Ghaf Library and Publications, who is participating in the Rights Pavilion, confirmed that the publishing house's first participation in the Beijing International Book Fair represents an important opportunity to build new partnerships with Chinese publishers and to explore opportunities for translating books between Arabic and Chinese.