More digital techs like AI highlight 2026 Beijing Book Fair

A wealth of cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), highlighted the 2026 Beijing Book Fair, which concluded on Saturday, creating an immersive and interactive reading experience and bringing economic gains for publishers.

At the exhibition, the Children's Publishing Division of the Publishing House of Electronics Industry launched its first AI-powered reading and interactive platform.

The platform pioneers a multi-modal reading experience combining text, audio, and interactive guidance, transforming online reading from simple e-book browsing into an immersive digital interaction tailored to the cognitive habits of children across different age groups.

"For AI-generated audio and video, the publishers previously relied more on manual production methods. Now, with the advent of the AI era, we can significantly reduce production time and costs. This allows for deeper exploration of a book's content, enabling AI to present it through enhanced interactive methods," said Li Jian, an exhibitor.

Publications are continuously integrating new technologies to enrich the reading experience.

For publishing institutions, books can also generate new revenue streams through data conversion and transactions.

Additionally, integrated one-stop services for the book publishing supply chain covering printing, warehousing, logistics, new media marketing, and information services, aim to reduce operational costs for publishing institutions while enhancing economic benefits and market competitiveness.

"Traditionally, our publishing house invested significant efforts in coordinating with printing plants, warehouses, and information providers. Going forward, through this integration, we'll achieve a comprehensive intelligent digital supply chain to facilitate publishers' digital transformation," said Luo Min, an exhibitor.

The 2026 Beijing Book Fair kicked off on Thursday, with over 400,000 titles on display. This year's edition features more than 10 themed zones as well as an exhibition area for various cultural products.

More digital techs like AI highlight 2026 Beijing Book Fair

The Heritage Guardian, a China Media Group (CMG) documentary featuring President Xi Jinping's deep concern for the inheritance and development of culture, began airing along with other two documentaries made by the group on mainstream media outlets in Laos on Monday.

Thongloun Sisoulith, general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and president of Laos, sent a congratulatory letter on the documentaries' airing .

The documentaries reflect the importance that Xi places on cultural heritage protection, as well as Xi's far-sighted vision in governance and profound patriotism, said Thongloun in the letter, noting that the documentaries provide examples for Laos to carry forward its unique national culture while pursuing economic and social development.

CMG and the publicity department of the LPRP Central Committee held a broadcast launch event in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, on Tuesday.

This year marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Laos, and is the China-Laos Friendship Year.

Chinese documentary "The Heritage Guardian" airs in Laos