On August 27, the 2026 Southern China Book Fair opened in Guangzhou. For the first time, the fair features an APEC Culture Pavilion. Some visitors described the experience as stepping into a vibrant "Asia-Pacific cultural ocean," where they could explore the diverse languages, arts, and cultures of Southeast Asia and beyond.

Spanning approximately 1,500 square meters, the pavilion brings together cultural institutions, universities, and organizations based in Guangdong from multiple APEC member economies. It features five international book exhibitions, four thematic cultural exhibitions, four interactive experiences, and over 10 cultural sharing events.

This year marks the APEC "China Year." By setting up the APEC Culture Pavilion at its main venue, the Southern China Book Fair adds a literary touch to the APEC "China Year".

Text & Video: Wu Di
English Author & Editor: Wen Junhua