Beijing: The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) is participating in the 32nd Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF), where the UAE is the Guest of Honour, as part of a national delegation led by the Ministry of Culture. The delegation includes 20 government and cultural entities and 100 publishing houses.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Centre is presenting a cultural programme at the UAE national pavilion at the fair, named ‘Al Bait Al Emirati’ (The Emirati Home), which is prominently located at the fair. Taking place from 17th to 21st June 2026 at the China National Convention Centre (CNCC) in Beijing, the programme showcases the vitality of the UAE’s cultural landscape while strengthening the presence of the Arabic language and literature on the international stage.
By participating in the fair, which brings together 2,600 publishers from 100 countries, the ALC aims to highlight its flagship initiatives that support the cultural and intellectual sectors, most notably the Kalima Project for Translation and the Esdarat project for Arabic publishing. The Centre will also highlight its efforts in linguistic studies, digitisation of books, and content creation, while introducing Asian audiences to the achievements of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) and the Sheikh Zayed Book Award (SZBA). Through its activities at the fair, the Centre seeks to strengthen cooperation with leading Chinese institutions in the publishing and translation sectors.
Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC, expressed pride in the UAE being selected as the Guest of Honour at the Beijing International Book Fair, stating it reflects the UAE’s cultural standing at both regional and international levels. He emphasised the Centre’s commitment to strengthening the global presence of the Arabic language and opening new avenues for partnership and collaboration with cultural institutions worldwide.
Bin Tamim highlighted that the Centre’s participation features a programme designed to strengthen the international standing of the Arabic language, with a focus on developing partnerships in publishing, translation, language education, and content creation. He noted that these efforts contribute to deeper cultural exchange between the two countries and support broader engagement across Asia and beyond.
The cultural programme organised by the ALC features panel discussions and cultural forums celebrating Emirati and Arab culture. The programme includes sessions showcasing the Centre’s flagship initiatives and projects, while presenting the forthcoming edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair and the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, which marks its 20th anniversary this year. Additionally, the programme features conferences and forums designed to strengthen cultural ties between the UAE and China.
A key event in the programme is the Conference on the Future of UAE-China Cultural Relations. The Centre is also hosting a launch and discussion for the book ‘The Governance of China’ by Chinese President Xi Jinping, featuring various prominent figures from the cultural sector. These efforts align with the strategic vision of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, reinforcing its position as a leading hub for culture and knowledge both regionally and internationally.