Iran will be the guest of honor at the 2017 Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF) to be held from August 23-27.
The decision was made at a meeting held on March 14 in Tehran between Iranian and Chinese officials, Mehr News Agency reported.
The deputy chief of the 30th Tehran International Book Fair (TIBF) Amir Masoud Shahramnia, accompanied by director of TIBF’s international committee Gholam Reza Noee, met with officials of the Beijing International Book Fair.
“The opportunity to be the guest of honor will help both sides to expand cultural interactions. The purpose is to enable publishers and writers to easily exchange information and enjoy cooperation,” Shahramnia said at the meeting.
Jiang Maoning, a senior official at China’s State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television was among the Chinese officials present. He said: “We seek development of cultural ties between the two countries. We’re certain that having Iran as the guest of honor can pave the way for further collaboration.”
Based on the agreements reached at the meeting, Iran was granted a pavilion of 500 sq meters, free of charge. A memorandum of understanding for further cultural interactions is to be signed by Iran and China at the 30th TIBF to be held on May 3-13.
