Hong Kong Book Fair 2022: publishers fear for sales despite hundreds arriving early to be among first at Asia’s largest event of its kind
- Titles featured include works of late writer Ni Kuang, publications on wide range of subjects and even a 14-page Xi Jinping speech
- This year’s fair is among several activities centred on the celebration of the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to Chinese rule
Hong Kong publishers said they did not expect to surpass last year’s sales despite hundreds of avid readers snapping up titles on education, health and local history during the launch of Asia’s largest annual book fair on Wednesday.
Half an hour before the Hong Kong Book Fair 2022 opened its doors, organisers arranged for the first 250 people in line to wait at the main entrance of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, while others were diverted to higher levels. All visitors had to scan their Covid-19 “Leave Home Safe” app and vaccine pass.
Lee Wai-man, a 48-year-old clerk, was among the early birds. She had taken the day off and was fifth in line in the morning, arriving at 6.30am. She said the situation was less chaotic than last year.
She was on the prowl for a health book by her idol, actress Skye Chan Sin-yeung, who collaborated with nutritionist Sylvia Lam to publish the title with Wan Li Book Company.
“I lost 30 pounds in five months reading their previous book. I have been obsessed with their publications since then. I was early this morning to buy their new book, because I want to get the limited goodie bags with health and beauty products,” Lee said.
Danny Leung Cheuk-lun, an assistant general manager with Wan Li, said the title had topped the charts but stopped short of revealing its volume of sales. He added that healthy recipe books were also proving popular.
