Beijing's cultural hub

For almost 10 years, Owspace has been a place for China's creative minds to meet, read and discuss. Xing Yi looks back on an institution.

On a recent Sunday afternoon, 50 francophiles crowded into the salon area of Owspace bookstore to listen to two authors discuss their latest book, Cinema Francais.

The audience listened and asked questions while enjoying drinks and desserts provided at the bar in the store. Customers could join the crowd as they browsed.