Tehran int'l book fair opens with China as guest of honor

TEHRAN, April 23 (Xinhua) -- The 32nd Tehran International Book Fair (TIBF) kicked off on Tuesday at the Mosalla exhibition center in the Iranian capital Tehran, with China as guest of honor.

During the 11-day book fair, which ends on May 4, some 2,400 Iranian publishers will display 300,000 book titles, while about 800 foreign publishers will showcase 137,000 their latest publications.

Iran's Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, the organizer, this year's fair is aimed at strengthening the publishing industry, boosting international ties and improving cultural diplomacy in the presence of China as the guest of honor.

Lin Liying, deputy general manager of the China National Publications Import & Export (Group) Corporation, said that some 94 publishers from across China will display 15,000 book titles of diversified themes during the book fair.

Meanwhile, as guest of honor, Chinese delegation will also host more than 50 cultural exchange activities for publishers and scholars of the two countries, she said.

Since its launch in 1987, the TIBF has provided a good opportunity for Iranian readers to buy new books and helped promote the cultural exchanges between Iranian publishers and their foreign counterparts.