Jiangsu-based publishing giant Phoenix Publishing and Media Group (PPMG) will take part in the seventh Jiangsu Book Fair, which is to be held in Suzhou from July 13 to 16.

Zhang Jiankang, chairman of PPMG and its subsidiary Phoenix Publishing and Media Inc (PPM) attended an introductory news conference ahead of the fair in Suzhou on June 28.

Zhang fielded questions from reporters at and introduced four highlights PPMG will present at the fair.

First, PPMG will put on a smart book exhibition placing emphasis on reader experience. It will also make efforts to strengthen the connection between the book fair's main venue and sub-venues.

Second, PPMG will organize about 200 cultural activities targeted at readers, including reading contest, during the fair.

Third, PPMG will bring excellent publications to the fair, allowing readers access to books promoting mainstream values. It also aims to lead a positive reading trend.

Fourth, with the aim of providing a development platform for the publishing industry, PPMG will organize a forum to discuss the expansion of Jiangsu's publishing industry overseas.

The forum will summarize the achievements of international cooperation in Jiangsu's publishing industry. It will also work out a "going-out" strategy for the publishing industry under new circumstances.

At the conference, Jin Guohua, PPM's vice president and general director of Jiangsu Xinhua Distribution Group, took questions from reporters about the National Joint Release Group of Arts Publishing Houses.

Jin said the group will exhibit arts books and innovational cultural products. Together with an exhibition of China's classic comic strips, performances of splash-ink by famous calligraphers and exhibitions about the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) organized by the Palace Museum, the book fair will be a fantastic cultural event.

Jiao Jianjun, director of Jiangsu Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, and publicity and media officials from Suzhou, also attended the conference.