Russia and China Strengthen Cooperation in the Publishing Industry: Two Agreements Signed at the 39th MIBF
One of the key outcomes of the international programme of the 39th Moscow International Book Fair (MIBF) was the further development of Russian-Chinese cooperation in publishing, literary translation, and professional exchange. Two agreements were signed during the Fair, laying the groundwork for continued cooperation between Russia and China in the publishing sector.
The first agreement focuses on developing a programme of reciprocal participation by the two countries in major international book fairs.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Directorate of International Book Exhibitions and Fairs and the China National Publications Import & Export (Group) Corporation (CNPIEC).
The document formalises the participation of the People’s Republic of China as the Guest of Honour at the 39th Moscow International Book Fair in 2026 and the participation of the Russian Federation as the Guest of Honour at the 34th Beijing International Book Fair in 2028.
In 2026, China became the central international participant of MIBF for the first time in many years. Its Guest of Honour status provided an opportunity to introduce Russian audiences to contemporary Chinese literature and the Chinese publishing industry, present an extensive cultural and professional programme, and bring together writers, publishers, translators, and publishing professionals from both countries.
The next major milestone will be the Beijing International Book Fair in 2028, where Russia will participate as the Guest of Honour. This will provide an opportunity to present Russian literature and the Russian publishing industry on a large scale in China, strengthen direct contacts between publishers, and promote Russian authors in one of the world’s largest book markets.
Another important outcome was the signing of a memorandum between the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation and the National Press and Publication Administration of the People’s Republic of China.
The document is aimed at implementing an inter-publisher programme for the translation and publication of Chinese and Russian classical and contemporary literature.
The programme is designed to promote the reciprocal translation and publication of works by Russian and Chinese authors and to expand the presence of both countries’ national literatures in the Russian and Chinese book markets.
The Russian-Chinese programme of the 39th MIBF therefore resulted not only in an extensive series of events but also in concrete steps towards continued cooperation. The agreements reached provide a foundation for long-term joint work — from direct contacts between publishers and rights acquisition to translations, new publications, and the mutual promotion of Russian and Chinese literature at major international book fairs.
“It is essential for us that the international programme of the Moscow International Book Fair continues well beyond the five days of the Fair itself. Agreements, reciprocal translation programmes, direct contacts between publishers, and joint projects are exactly the kind of outcomes that continue to generate results after the Fair has ended. This year, China was the Guest of Honour at MIBF, and in 2028 Russia will take on this status at the Beijing International Book Fair. This enables us to develop our cooperation not as a series of individual events, but as consistent, long-term work,” said Elena Grebeneva, Director of the Moscow International Book Fair.
The first agreement focuses on developing a programme of reciprocal participation by the two countries in major international book fairs.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Directorate of International Book Exhibitions and Fairs and the China National Publications Import & Export (Group) Corporation (CNPIEC).
The document formalises the participation of the People’s Republic of China as the Guest of Honour at the 39th Moscow International Book Fair in 2026 and the participation of the Russian Federation as the Guest of Honour at the 34th Beijing International Book Fair in 2028.
In 2026, China became the central international participant of MIBF for the first time in many years. Its Guest of Honour status provided an opportunity to introduce Russian audiences to contemporary Chinese literature and the Chinese publishing industry, present an extensive cultural and professional programme, and bring together writers, publishers, translators, and publishing professionals from both countries.
The next major milestone will be the Beijing International Book Fair in 2028, where Russia will participate as the Guest of Honour. This will provide an opportunity to present Russian literature and the Russian publishing industry on a large scale in China, strengthen direct contacts between publishers, and promote Russian authors in one of the world’s largest book markets.
Another important outcome was the signing of a memorandum between the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation and the National Press and Publication Administration of the People’s Republic of China.
The document is aimed at implementing an inter-publisher programme for the translation and publication of Chinese and Russian classical and contemporary literature.
The programme is designed to promote the reciprocal translation and publication of works by Russian and Chinese authors and to expand the presence of both countries’ national literatures in the Russian and Chinese book markets.
The Russian-Chinese programme of the 39th MIBF therefore resulted not only in an extensive series of events but also in concrete steps towards continued cooperation. The agreements reached provide a foundation for long-term joint work — from direct contacts between publishers and rights acquisition to translations, new publications, and the mutual promotion of Russian and Chinese literature at major international book fairs.
“It is essential for us that the international programme of the Moscow International Book Fair continues well beyond the five days of the Fair itself. Agreements, reciprocal translation programmes, direct contacts between publishers, and joint projects are exactly the kind of outcomes that continue to generate results after the Fair has ended. This year, China was the Guest of Honour at MIBF, and in 2028 Russia will take on this status at the Beijing International Book Fair. This enables us to develop our cooperation not as a series of individual events, but as consistent, long-term work,” said Elena Grebeneva, Director of the Moscow International Book Fair.
14.09.2026