The United Arab Emirates will be the guest of honor at the Beijing International Book Fair 2026, scheduled for June 17 to 21 at the National Convention Center in the Chinese capital. This initiative showcases the cultural innovations represented by the UAE on the global stage and demonstrates the evolution of strategic partnerships between the UAE and the People’s Republic of China.
This participation was announced during two simultaneous press conferences: one in Beijing organized by the exhibition management team in collaboration with the UAE Embassy, and the other in Dubai under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture. During these conferences, details of the UAE’s participation were presented, along with the “Emirati House” program and the cultural and knowledge objectives the country aims to achieve through this event.
The UAE’s participation is coordinated jointly by the UAE Embassy and the Ministry of Culture, under the slogan “Community and People.” This slogan reflects the UAE’s commitment to placing people at the center of development, emphasizing that knowledge, culture, and creativity are fundamental pillars for building and growing communities.
The UAE’s role as the guest of honor at the fair highlights its commitment to enhancing global cultural dialogue and expanding avenues for cooperation in publishing, translation, and cultural industries. This reflects support for civilizational understanding and increased intellectual exchange between the two countries.
Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, the UAE Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, spoke at the press conference, emphasizing the importance of this participation for relations between the two countries. He stated, “This participation represents a significant milestone in the journey of UAE-China relations and embodies the belief of both nations in the pivotal role of culture and knowledge in fostering closeness between peoples.”
Al Hammadi added that his country’s participation reflects a comprehensive vision that recognizes culture as a key driver of sustainable development. In this context, the Ministry of Culture in Dubai organized a conference during which the participating Emirati cultural program was unveiled, attended by representatives from cultural and academic institutions.
Al Mubarak Al Nakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, stated that the selection of the UAE as the guest of honor at the fair underscores the growing international confidence in its cultural project and highlights its advanced position on the global stage. This event is viewed as an opportunity to enhance the UAE’s connection with the global cultural community through a platform that showcases its achievements in publishing and translation.
The cultural activities at the “Emirati House” will include more than 20 sessions and events focusing on various topics such as cultural relations between the UAE and China, children’s literature, and artificial intelligence in creativity. Through these sessions, the unique cultural experience of the UAE will be highlighted.
The “Emirati House” pavilion will showcase the cultural potential of the country through various governmental and national cultural institutions. The exhibition will display the UAE’s achievements in multiple fields, such as publishing and translation, while also focusing on promoting national identity and authentic values.
The Beijing International Book Fair is one of the most important book fairs in the world, attracting publishing houses from over 100 countries. This fair reflects the international character of literature and culture and serves as a dynamic platform for intellectual exchange and prominent projects in the publishing sector.