Wang Guike (center), deputy head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, said the South China Book Festival is expected to become a platform for Sino-foreign cultural cooperation and exchanges. [Photo by Zheng Caixiong/chinadaily.com.cn]

A senior publicity official from the southern province of Guangdong is expecting the South China Book Festival to become a new platform for Sino-foreign cultural cooperation and exchanges in the coming months.

More than 300 famous publishing houses from home and abroad will participate in the event that will take place in Guangdong provincial capital's Pazhou International Convention and Exhibition Center between Aug 16 and 20.

They will bring more than 200,000 books and publications to seek expansion of cooperation and exchanges in an exhibiting area of more than 40,000 square meters.

The festival has organized annually in the southern metropolis for 27 years, and will also include 20 sub-branches in 20 prefecture-level cities in the province, known as key regions for China's reform and opening up policies.

Wang Guike, deputy head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, said a German Exhibition Hall will be set up for the first time this year to display famous and high-quality German books, publications and related cultural products, aiming to enhance links withthe world famous Frankfurt Book Fair.

"More than 200 cultural events will also be organized during the festival to help Sino-foreign publishing houses and cultural units seek expansion of Sino-foreign cooperation and exchanges," Wang told a press conference on Thursday.

He urged domestic companies to seize the opportunities to expand cooperation with their foreign counterparts while trying to increase their book sales at home and abroad during the festival.

More than 260 famous authors and celebrities from home and abroad will also be invited to deliver lectures and interact with visitors and audiences to help popularize reading in the province, one of the country's economic power houses.