Henry Noyes, the founder of China Books and Periodicals in the United States. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Pan had originally opened the shop to learn Chinese. In college, while talking to other students, he had mistaken the food tofu to be Du Fu, a great poet of the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

With an interest in Chinese language and literature, he started a publishing company. In the last 35 years, You Feng Publishing House has published more than 1,000 Chinese books in French.

In 2015, a French version of Records of the Grand Historian was published after the translation project first started 120 years ago.

Chinese writer Zha Liangyong and others were introduced to the West by You Feng. His martial-arts novels are popular among French readers.

In the early years of You Feng, Pan lost money, earning a daily revenue of less than 200 francs ($33).

That continued until, one day, an elderly Frenchman asked him for books on tai chi. Pan started to publish traditional Chinese health books and textbooks for Chinese-language learners.

Originally, there were only Chinese customers but gradually more French people came.

Now, You Feng has become one of the most influential names when it comes to Chinese books in Europe. It sells French books on Chinese language, traditional Chinese medicine, Chinese cuisine and travel, plus translations of Chinese classics.

Chinese bookstores abroad showcase the country's culture, which is why the documentary was made, says Yin, the producer.

Contact the writer at yangyangs@chinadaily.com.cn