Photo shows a view of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur is the capital and largest city of Malaysia. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

The 40th Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair kicked off in Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian capital, recently on Saturday with China the event's guest of honor. 

Described by cultural sociologist Chu Xin as the fair's "second host,"  China has brought more than 3,000 books to the exhibition. These works cover topics such as China's development, art and traditional culture. 

Stand out books at the exhibition include the Malay edition of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China and also selected articles by Chinese President Xi Jinping compiled into book collections. 

Another highlight is a comprehensive collection of ancient Chinese paintings, which introduces the cultural ingenuity of China over the millennia. Meanwhile, the collection A Hundred Classics of Chinese Traditional Culture delivers stories about traditional Chinese virtues. 

Chu told the Global Times that against the backdrop of China and Malaysia's shared cultural roots, the exhibition allows local readers to grow closer to evocative Chinese stories. 

China's presence at the Malay fair marks the first time the country has been a guest of honor at an ASEAN country book event. 

More than 150 publishers from more than 30 publishing houses in China are participating in the event. Over 100 types of books jointly published by China and publishing houses in ASEAN countries are on display, "paving the road for further ASEAN-China publishing collaboration," Chu noted.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Zhang Jianchun, a deputy head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, attended China's guest of honor event. 

Including a forum on China-ASEAN communication, a total of 30 cultural events will be held during the fair, which is scheduled to end on June 4.