SBA rediscovers the Silk Road and enhances communication with China

UAE Chosen as Guest of Honor at the Beijing International Book Fair

Dubai, August 31, 2015: The Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) as concluded its participation in the Beijing International Book Fair where the UAE was selected as guest of honor by the exhibition management. This comes in recognition of UAE’s cultural achievements and the deep-rooted relationship between China and the UAE.

Over several decades, China has acted as a link between East and West facilitating the exchange of goods between countries around the world. The Sharjah Book Authority, through its participation in the Beijing International Book Fair, seeks to revive this historical significance and promote dialogue and understanding between China with its diverse cultures and the UAE which constantly seeks to establish amiable foundations with all countries. 

The SBA’s stand at the exhibition received many high profile figures including Yang Zhijin, Chinese Vice Minister of Culture, who was presented with a Chinese version of the book " My Early Life” (Sard Al That) authored by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. Also among the visitors were Afra Al Sabri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development in the UAE; Hakam Al Hashemi, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development for Culture and Arts; Saeed Za’al, Chargé d'affaires at the UAE Embassy in the Chinese capital. There were also visits from Arab intellectuals, journalists, and Arab diplomats residing in Beijing. 

HE Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of the Sharjah Book Authority, said, “The UAE and China share common ground, not only because both countries are pioneering international trade and economic centers, but because they both have deep cultural heritages and share a pride in the past as a gateway to the future. We appreciate China’s recognition of the UAE and its achievements in various fields, which reinforces cooperation between the two friendly countries.”

Al Ameri stressed that the participation of the SBA in Beijing has opened more doors with Chinese and Asian publishers and a large number of official, cultural, intellectual, academic, and community figures who visited the exhibition and had the opportunity to learn about the UAE and its institutions and discuss ways of cooperation, whether through participation in exhibitions and conferences organized by the SBA or coordination of events.  

Many Chinese and foreign publishers visited the SBA section and inquired about its services and events, namely the Sharjah International Book Fair, the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival, the Sharjah Exhibition for Children's Books Illustrations, and the Sharjah International Book Fair translation grant, and the joint conference organized annually by the SBA in cooperation with the American Library Association.

Chinese publishers and intellectuals expressed an interest in visiting Sharjah to learn about the cultural and professional events organized there and to connect with the large Chinese community living in the UAE. The publishers also expressed their desire to work with Emirati publishers in the translation of some works from Chinese to Arabic, and Arabic to Chinese.  

The Sharjah Book Authority was established in December 2014 by Emiri decree issued by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah and is tasked with encouraging investment in creative industries and offering a platform for the exchange of knowledge and ideas between people from different countries and cultures. It is also entrusted with emphasizing the significant role of writers and their influence in spreading awareness of technological advancement and the availability of various sources of knowledge.