Writing for hearts and minds

The largest delegation of Chinese writers visiting the London Book Fair is hoping to win over British and worldwide audiences. Mei Jia reports in London.

It's late afternoon on Monday, the first day of the London Book Fair, and writer Tie Ning is talking to a roomful of people in Earl's Court on the topic of female authors. "Some say women think with their wombs, whereas men use their brains," Tie says. "But the womb controls everything, including the brain." The audience - a mix of nationalities, men and women - bursts into peels of laughter. Tie is leading China's largest delegation of writers to the fair, to showcase contemporary Chinese literature. In addition to the cultural exchange events she is attending, Tie has also signed a contract with Blue Door to publish her signature novel, The Bathing Women.

Susie Nicklin, director of literature at the British Council, tells China Daily this is the first time they have hosted such a large group of Chinese writers in the UK.