Colorful literary festivals held this year brought platforms for local and international authors and readers together for exchange. The Bookworm Literary Festival has grown considerably in four years, from 15 to 60 authors from around the world. This year, with 70 authors participating, the festival had more than 100 events across Beijing, Chengdu and Suzhou. It also expanded to include performances and screenings, all of which were said to be carbon-neutral.

The Australian Writers’ Week was held in March in Beijing and Chengdu. Well-known Australian authors like Les Mrray, Alexis Wright and Brian Castro presented their works. Australian-Chinese author Alice Pung brought a bestseller, which portrayed her experience being caught between cultures.

In March, more than 50 authors from nearly 20 countries gathered in Shanghai and shared their ideas about books and how they shape and enrich people's lives at the 8th Shanghai International Literary Festival.