A total of 200 of the country's most prestigious publishers and bookstores -- including People's Literature Publishing House, China National Import and Export (Group) Corporation and China Children Publishing House -- will present as many as 200,000 kinds of books to readers.

Books at the fair will include literary works and non-fiction such as computer manuals, language textbooks and dictionaries.

Many books will be sold at discounts of up to 70 per cent or even lower.

In addition to books, audio and video products and software will also be available.

DVDs and VCDs of popular local TV dramas such as Jiqing Ranshao De Suiyue (The Years of Passion) are expected to sell well at the fair.

The event, which has been held every year since 2000, has become an important tradition to many residents in Beijing.

Many people regard the fair as an opportunity to buy books at low price.

The book fair was originally held at the Working People's Cultural Palace which lies to the east of Tian'anmen Rostrum, but was moved to Ditan Park to avoid possible damage to cultural relics at the former site.

A series of other activities will run parallel to the book fair at Ditan Park. There will be an exhibition featuring the achievements of the Beijingers Speaking English program, which is aimed at enhancing the language levels of Beijing residents.

There will also be a folk show featuring local Beijing customs and a photo exhibition on the municipal construction of Beijing in recent years.

(China Daily December 6, 2002)