The 2014 Paris Book Fair kicked off on Friday. This year Shanghai is a guest city at the event and therefore hundreds of Chinese texts, from traditional literature to modern novels are on display.

Organizers estimate 200,000 people will visit the 4-day event. And one of the very first to show interest in the books from Shanghai was France's Prime Minister. He only spent a few minutes looking at Shanghai's exhibits, but others have taken more time to look over all of the books.

"I really like it because it is very different culture from European culture. So it's very interesting to feel the difference and all culture that we are not so," Brena Mia, book fair visitor, said.

"I don't know everything about Chinese literature but I am really interested in today's life in China. And I found space here is quite attractive so I came and just look around and see what can be interested for me," Muriel Fauriat, book fair visitor, said.

But ambitious writers from China want deeper understanding more than pure interest. And they are confident. Shanghai writer Chen Danyan says she has brought 5 books to Paris to introduce life in this city. But Paris is just her latest destination to promote her works. After traveling to Germany nine times, she says she knows Europeans can understand her writing about Shanghai.

"One of my novel translated into German and one question from German audience, they ask why we feel in your book there is influence from Russia literature and classical Russia literature. I do have some influence from Russia literature. So I think they do understand and also they can taste the language," Chen said.

Around 20 writers from Shanghai are also attending the book fair to talk about writing with their international counterparts. The city's participation in the book fair is part of the activities to mark this year's 50th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France.

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