A promotion session for the English version of historical Chinese book From the Mediterranean to the Yellow River at Frankfurt Book Fair Photo: Zhonghua Book Company

The 2018 Frankfurt Book Fair may never forget the scene of foreign readers flocking to Chinese author Liu Cixin's signing booth for the iconic The Three-Body Problem. The readers may not have foreseen that six years later, when the book had become a global bestseller in multiple languages, the German-language edition of a new Chinese-style graphic novel version would make a comeback and set off a Chinese sci-fi trend again at the book fair.

The Frankfurt Book Fair 2024 that set the "Asian Stage" for the first time officially opened on Wednesday local time in Germany. Chinese publishers are exhibiting more than 3,500 books, including 1,500 in foreign language. 

In addition to new book releases, Chinese publishers are holding numerous premieres and signing ceremonies for copyright agreements, with up to 1,000 books available for copyright trade.

The evolving role of Chinese publishers has drawn attention of Juergen Boos, Director of the Frankfurt Book Fair, who noted the growing presence of Chinese publishers at the event, indicating that they have transformed from being primarily copyright importers to becoming major copyright sellers.

Several Chinese publishers who have garnered attention at the book fair by virtue of high-quality publications, including some rooted in profound Chinese civilization while others in sci-fi literature, had conversations with the Global Times. They indicated how Chinese publications are resonating with readers worldwide and growing into a significant platform for narrating Chinese stories to the world.

Echoes of global concerns

It was confirmed that the Chinese-language graphic novel version of The Three-Body Problem will be released by the end of this year or early next year. So far, Yilin Press has reached translation and copyright agreements with several publishers, including German ones, with the Spanish rights already signed. 

"This is a mutual pursuit between science fiction literature and graphic novels," Zhang Yu, the editor-in-chief of Yilin Press, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

The graphic novel, illustrated by Chinese artist Wu Qingsong, combines traditional Chinese painting with modern sensibilities, using images to supplement the narrative details and visualize the virtual spaces. 

"This time, the graphic novel adaptation is not only a tribute to Liu's work but also a gift for every reader who loves science fiction, literature, and art," the Spanish Sinologist and translator of Liu Cixin's works, Agustín Alepuz, said at the signing ceremony of the graphic version in Beijing.

But it's not just The Three-Body Problem. "Chinese science fiction as a whole is resonating with readers worldwide through its profound reflections on the concept of a shared future for humanity," Zhang said.

In fact, Chinese science fiction is having more than a moment in global market. German publisher Heyne Verlag, for example, has shown a keen interest in Chinese sci-fi. Starting with 400,000 copies of The Three-Body Problem sold in Germany, they've developed confidence in Chinese sci-fi works and have continued to explore emerging Chinese sci-fi authors, such as Wang Jinkang.

At the book fair this year, a series of seminars and dialogues regarding development and unique taste of Chinese sci-fi literature and publications.

"Because of its grand narratives and its ability to construct expansive worldviews, the publication of science fiction works naturally has more opportunities to interact with other forms of art, including movies, animation, amplifying its impact across multiple cultural mediums," Zhang said.

One of the booths at the 76th Frankfurt Book Fair in Frankfurt, Germany, on October 16, 2024 Photo: IC

Envoy of cultural essence

The flying of imagination needs a solid foundation to support it. Chinese writers not only concentrate on pondering the path forward for the future in the sci-fi literature, but also keep reviewing the past and tracking the origin of Chinese civilization to find the inspiration and nutrition for creation, which were repeatedly mentioned by Chinese publishers of domestic head publishing houses and foreign academies present at the book fair.

The English version of Origins of Ancient Chinese Civilization jointly published by the SDX Joint Publishing Company, which is commonly known as Sanlian Press in China, and global publisher Springer Nature met with international readers at the book fair.

He Kui, deputy editor in chief of the Chinese publishing company, told the Global Times that the book is an important academic monograph by Li Xueqin, Chinese renowned historian. It provides a detailed analysis of the main features of the origin and evolution of Chinese civilization, mainly from the perspectives of the use of bronzes, the emergence of writing, and the birth of rituals, in order to respond positively to the strong international concern about when, where, and how Chinese civilization originated.

"The publication with help of translated version will be beneficial in enhancing mutual understanding between Chinese academic research and the world academic community. It will also contribute to building a more inclusive, open, and dynamic global academic community," He said.

Aiming at showcasing the magnificent landscape of cultural dialogues among different civilizations, Zhonghua Book Company and Springer Nature promoted the English version of historical Chinese book From the Mediterranean to the Yellow River to global readers.

Yang Juping, general editor of the book, said at the signing ceremony that the main academic contribution of this six-volume book lies in its interdisciplinary research, which is the first comprehensive study of the relationship between the Hellenistic civilization and the Silk Road in China and abroad.

Detailed works of Chinese publishers and editors impressed international academies. Peter Stewart, director of the Classical Art Cert Center at the University of Oxford, commented that "The six volumes are almost encyclopedic in scope, covering everything you can imagine within this field. They extend from archaic Greece to medieval China, offering a vivid testimony to the connected histories of so many peoples and places from the Mediterranean to the East China Sea over the span of a millennium."

Other books such as Zhejiang University's book series, The Rudiment and Practice of New Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in Zhejiang, were also prominently featured at the event, offering a window for international readers eager to understand China's reform and development successes.