Beijing Ditan Park Book Fair closes

One of the capital's cultural icons--Beijing Ditan Park Book Fair has failed to hold its spring session this year. Its demise has sparked outcry among the city's readers.

The book fair has been held for 22 years in this historic park. But for now it's a closed chapter.

"I came here every time. At that time, I chose what books to buy but they didn't want to sell me them at low prices. But it doesn't matter, I'll wait until they are about to close and then it'll just cost a penny to buy them all."

"I was sorry when I heard the book fair wasn't being held. You lose a place to go during the holidays, and you lose the joy in exploring books."

Good discounts and decent books for years, it's been a book haven loved by Beijingers.

So why the demise?

Li Jinkao has been in charge of the fair since it was launched 22 years ago. He says the culprit is rising costs.

"In the beginning, one security guard cost 40 to 50 yuan a day, now it's about 350 yuan, 7 times more. Before there were just 100 guards, but now more than 300. And the rental fee for one x-ray scanner is 8000 yuan, there are four gates to the park, so all together that's 32,000 yuan."

And to prevent a crush, organizers were also forced to cut down the number of exhibitors by half.

Costs have gone up, but profits are down. And with online retailers boasting huge discounts, it's hard for the book fair to compete.

"We can't shift the costs to publishers and readers. And we can't change an entrance fee. We've been suffering a loss since 2008."

In contrast, book fairs in Hong Kong and Taiwan, attract crowds of readers with famous writers, celebrities and activities every year. But their experience doesn't seem to have rubbed off on Beijing.

"We really didn't have a solution, because it's pretty hard to organize activities."

He says one of the solutions is government sponsorship. And publishers also have their suggestions.

"I think the organizer should raise the threshold, they should say no to sellers with a low reputation," said Xie Junfeng, director of direct selling dept', Zhonghua Book Co.

"Before we just put up a notice and asked publishers to sign up. But can we go out and contact them proactively?" said Yang Chunbao, China Nat'L Publishing Industry Trading Corp.

An old book fair, struggling to find a new way in a new era of publishing and reading.