On September 2, China participated as Guest of Honor in the 39th Moscow International Book Fair (MIBF) at Gostiny Dvor, Moscow. CPG and its publishing subsidiaries presented more than 300 high-quality titles at the Chinese pavilion under the theme “Reading China.” Highlights included Chinese and Russian editions of Xi Jinping and Poverty Alleviation in China, Possibilities of World Civilization: The Communist Party of China and Traditions of the Chinese Civilization, Twelve Lectures on the History of the Communist Party of China, Red Imprints, Reading the Analects: A Comprehensive Guide, A History of Chinese Craft, and Music in China. These books were warmly received by publishing professionals and readers in Russia.

Photo caption: Mao Yuansheng delivers an address at the opening ceremony of MIBF

Mao Yuansheng, General Manager of CPG, attended the fair and delivered an address at the opening ceremony, along with Vladimir Medinsky, Aide to the President of Russia and Chairman of the Union of Russian Writers, and Sergei Stepashin, President of the Russian Book Union and former Prime Minister of Russia. Together, they officially launched China’s Guest-of-Honor programme at MIBF. Mao also presented key publications, including Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, to the Russian guests in attendance. Subsequently, Sergei Stepashin and Mao Yuansheng were joined by Zhang Wei, Minister-Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Russia, and Zhang Zehui, Director-General of the Import and Export Administration Bureau of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, among other dignitaries. They exchanged views and witnessed the signing of two key agreements: the Memorandum of Understanding on the Mutual Translation and Publication of Chinese and Russian Classics and Contemporary Literary Works, and the Memorandum of Understanding on China and Russia as Guests of Honor at the 2026 Moscow International Book Fair and the 2028 Beijing International Book Fair. In his remarks, Mao noted that CPG will leverage the reciprocal guest-of-honor status to expand and deepen publishing ties between China and Russia, fostering mutual learning between the two cultures.

Photo caption: Mao Yuansheng presents Xi Jinping: The Governance of China to Vladimir Medinsky and Sergei Stepashin

Photo caption: Chinese and Russian guests attend the launch ceremony of China’s Guest-of-Honor programme at MIBF

Photo caption: Chinese and Russian representatives sign the memoranda of understanding

A host of distinguished guests also attended the China-Russia Civilization Dialogue Forum, organized by CNPIEC. Speakers at the forum included Mao Yuansheng, Bella Cherkesova, Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of Russia, Tang Guocai, Minister-Counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Russia, Sergei Stepashin, and Zhang Zehui. Sun Zhuangzhi, Director of the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Alexander Lukin, Academic Head of the Institute of China and Contemporary Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and renowned author Liu Zhenyun delivered keynote speeches. Attendees reaffirmed their shared commitment to promoting China-Russia cultural exchanges by telling engaging cultural stories and leveraging both countries’ respective guest-of-honor roles at the Moscow and Beijing international book fairs to expand channels for cultural exchange and explore new avenues for collaboration.

In addition, China Fine Arts Publishing Group and Nauka, a Russian science publisher, co-hosted a panel discussion on A History of Chinese Craft. Meanwhile, People’s Music Publishing House and the Association of Tchaikovsky Competition Stars co-organized an event marking the launch of the Russian-language edition of Music in China. These events contributed to the practical cooperation between the two countries in the publishing sector.

Established in 1977, MIBF is one of Russia’s most influential publishing events. This year’s fair ran from September 2 to 6 and received wide coverage from major Chinese media outlets, including Xinhua News Agency, China Central Television (CCTV), and China News Service.