Photos of famous authors are displayed at the fair. [Photo by Wang Jing/China Daily]

American Bruce Humes translated the book into English in 2013.

The preservation of traditional culture also informs the works of 73-year-old Feng Jicai, who presented at the fair six simultaneously published new books.

In addition to a handbook based on his field studies of fading village traditions and his personal folk sculpture collection, the author, artist and activist presented at the fair his travelogue of Moscow and St. Petersburg, and an anthology of essays on culture and the arts.

"I've done many things, including teaching Tianjin University postgraduate students, because I want to pass along a sense of responsibility (to protect tradition) to the younger generation," Feng tells the media.

"I hope the youth can replace me, so I can return to my original trade－writing."

But while tradition has emerged as a major literary theme, innovation has become the publishing industry's focus.

The convergence of paper and digital publishing topped the sector's agenda.