[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

China's bookstore chain brand Fang Suo Commune has been nominated for this year's London Book Fair International Excellence Awards.

The organizer announced the shortlist earlier this month on its official website, saying that 26 countries received nominations, with the United States leading the way with five.

Fang Suo Commune will compete with BOA Bookstore of Vietnam and Unity Books (Wellington) Ltd of New Zealand for the Bookstore of the Year Award.

It is the only nomination China receives for this year's shortlist and the prizes will be announced on Mar 12.

The awards are to reward outstanding publishing ambassadors and work of innovative publishing and ground-breaking initiatives in the industry, according to the official website of the LBF.