Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the 36th HKTDC Hong Kong Book Fair, together with the 9th HKTDC Sports and Leisure Expo and the 6th HKTDC World of Snacks, concluded successfully on 22 July. Over the seven-day run, the three concurrent fairs attracted 990,000 visits and brought together more than 770 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions. With over 600 cultural activities held both at the fairground and across the city, the Hong Kong Book Fair once again reaffirmed its enduring appeal as a marquee cultural event in the city.
Held under the theme “Reading the World: Cultural Legacy | Joyful Journeys”, this year's Book Fair aimed to connect readers with the history, culture and human stories of places around the world through reading. Ms. Jenny Koo, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director, remarked that despite heavy rain in the opening days, the enthusiasm of visitors – both local residents and tourists – remained unwavering, with particularly robust turnout over the weekend. This, she said, fully demonstrated the Book Fair's profound cultural influence within Hong Kong society. She also noted that the newly introduced “ASEAN Literary Festival” had received an encouraging response, enabling authors from the region to engage closely with readers and highlighting Hong Kong’s distinctive role as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.
The rich array of cultural activities staged during the Fair proved highly popular, with a seminar by renowned author Liu Zhenyun attracting over 1,400 readers on-site. A survey commissioned by the HKTDC indicated that the average spending per visitor was HK$923, with approximately 98% of respondents saying that their visit had met their expectations. Fiction, literature and comics ranked as the top three book categories, and many visitors came specifically to purchase new releases and take advantage of promotional discounts.
The exhibitions also facilitated a number of international collaborations. A first-time exhibitor from the United Arab Emirates noted that they had greatly benefited from this year's fair and plan to expand their participation next year. The “International Publishing Forum” and “IP Roundtable” held during the Fair focused on the challenges and opportunities facing the publishing and creative industries in the age of artificial intelligence, drawing over 250 industry representatives and further consolidating Hong Kong's position as a regional intellectual property trading hub.
The concurrently held Sports and Leisure Expo and World of Snacks were equally vibrant, offering diverse interactive experiences that attracted participants of all ages. The “Cultural July • Joyful Summer Reading” programme will continue through the end of July, with cultural tours and intangible cultural heritage educational activities taking place across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories, ensuring that the city's literary and cultural spirit endures throughout the summer.
In the second half of the year, the HKTDC will continue to stage a series of major exhibitions, including the Food Expo, the Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition), and the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair, among others. These events will further promote international trade exchange and reinforce Hong Kong’s critical functions as a “super-connector” and “super value-adder” on the global stage.
