Aug 21: The 12th Special Book Award of China. A government award honoring foreign translators, writers, Sinologists, publishers, agencies and researchers for their contributions in taking Chinese works and ideas to the world. It is often given out a day before the Beijing International Book Fair officially opens. The award has been given to 108 experts from 44 countries and regions since 2005.

Aug 21: Beijing Publishing Summit. An upgrade of the BIBF International Publishing Forum, the summit will focus on international cooperation.

Aug 22-26: Exhibition on publications about 40 years of reform and opening-up. Some 5,000 works have been chosen for display.

Aug 22-26: International Children's Books Exhibition. The event covers 20,000 square meters and will feature publishers of children's books from various countries.

Aug 22: Writer Liu Cixin's talk on Chinese imagination and sci-fi literature. The author of the Three Body trilogy will meet fans.

Aug 22: Writer Yu Hua's roundtable meeting with 30 Sinologists. The author of To Live and Brothers will hold discussions with translators and researchers.

Aug 23: Belt and Road Initiative: International Publishing Summit. It includes keynote speeches, book launches, dialogues and signings of copyright deals.