Sharjah Book Authority rediscovers Silk Road and enhances communication with China

The Sharjah Book Authority, SBA, has concluded its participation in the Beijing International Book Fair, where the UAE was selected as guest of honour by the exhibition management. This comes in recognition of the UAE's cultural achievements and the deep-rooted relationship between China and the UAE.

Over several decades, China has acted as a link between East and West, facilitating the exchange of goods between countries around the world. The Sharjah Book Authority, through its participation in the Beijing International Book Fair, seeks to revive this historical significance and promote dialogue and understanding between China with its diverse cultures and the UAE, which constantly seeks to establish amiable foundations with all countries.

The SBA's stand at the exhibition received many high profile figures, including Yang Zhijin, Chinese Vice Minister of Culture, who was presented with a Chinese version of the book, "My Early Life", authored by H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. Also among the visitors were Afra Al Sabri, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development in the UAE, Hakam Al Hashemi, Assistant Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development for Culture and Arts, and Saeed Za'al, Charge d'Affaires at the UAE Embassy in the Chinese capital. There were also visits from Arab intellectuals, journalists, and Arab diplomats residing in Beijing.

Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of the Sharjah Book Authority, said, "The UAE and China share common ground, not only because both countries are pioneering international trade and economic centres, but because they both have deep cultural heritages and share a pride in the past as a gateway to the future. We appreciate China's recognition of the UAE and its achievements in various fields, which reinforces cooperation between the two friendly countries."

Al Ameri stressed that the participation of the SBA in Beijing has opened more doors with Chinese and Asian publishers and a large number of official, cultural, intellectual, academic, and community figures who visited the exhibition and had the opportunity to learn about the UAE and its institutions and discuss ways of cooperation, whether through participation in exhibitions and conferences organised by the SBA or coordination of events.

Many Chinese and foreign publishers visited the SBA section and inquired about its services and events, being the Sharjah International Book Fair, the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival, the Sharjah Exhibition for Children's Books Illustrations, and the Sharjah International Book Fair translation grant, as well as the joint conference organised annually by the SBA in cooperation with the American Library Association.