On August 5, Minister-Counsellor Lin Bin, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Chinese Embassy in Canada, attended the opening of the “Listening to Young Readers: Voices from Rural China” photo exhibition, which was co-sponsored by the National Press and Publication Administration of China and the China Section of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY). IBBY President Basarat Kazim and Chair of the Jury for the 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Award Shereen Kreidieh, among other distinguished guests were present.

In her remarks, Minister-Counsellor Lin Bin expressed hope that friends from Canada and around the world will experience the profound heritage and contemporary vitality of Chinese culture through this exhibition, and gain a deeper understanding of China’s development and changes. China stands ready to work with Canada and further tap the potential of people-to-people exchanges and enhance practical cooperation, jointly injecting new dynamism into the sustained, sound and steady growth of China-Canada new strategic partnership and bringing greater benefits to the people of both countries, she said.

The exhibition features exquisitely curated displays focusing on young readers, reading spaces, reading events and reading promoters. It offers a comprehensive presentation on the rich achievements of rural reading initiatives in China, particularly the positive changes they have brought to children in rural areas.