People read books during the 24th Beijing International Book Fair held in the New Venue of the China International Exhibition Center in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 23, 2017. More than 2,500 exhibitors from 89 countries and regions attended the book fair, displaying over 300,000 newly published books. (Xinhua/Wang Yueling)

Over 300,000 newly published books from around the world, including 28 countries and regions along the Belt and Road routes, are on display at the 24th Beijing International Book Fair, which opened Wednesday.

More than 2,500 exhibitors from 89 countries and regions are taking part in the fair, with overseas exhibitors accounting for 58 percent.

Around 40,000 books from over 300 major Chinese publishers are on display for overseas publishers and libraries. At the fair last year and the year before, the number of copyright trade agreements signed between Chinese and foreign companies exceeded 4,000 each year.

Since 2014, copyright trade between China and countries along the Belt and Road routes has maintained a high average annual growth of 20 percent, accounting for 15 percent of China's total copyright trade in 2016, up from 5 percent in 2014.

Iran is the guest of honor at this year's fair, with 13 Iranian publishers taking part and six Iranian writers hosting activities. Well-known Chinese writers, including Nobel laureate Mo Yan, will also meet their readers face to face at the event.

The Iranian exhibition zone will feature musical performances and recitation of classic Iranian and Chinese literature in Persian, English and Chinese.

Iran has invited China to be the guest of honor at the 2019 Tehran International Book Fair.