The fair was originally scheduled for May, but was postponed due to the outbreak of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome).

The theme of the event this year is "Publishing and Exchanges."

As the most renowned book fair in Asia and one of the largest in the world, the fair is a major platform for book trade and copyright trade between Chinese and international publishers.

The fair differs from book festivals by mainly targeting publishers, rather than readers.

The exhibition opens to ordinary readers only on the last three days, and opens to publishing companies exclusively on September 17 and 18.

The fair was initiated in 1986, and had been held every two years since. Starting from this year, it has been upgraded to an annual event.

(China Daily September 13, 2003)