In Ditan Park in downtown Beijing, the eighth Beijing Book Festival is underway. More than 300 publishing houses have joined in the event.

In recent days, the Beijing Book Festival attracted thousands of book lovers, who took advantage of special sale prices.

The upheavals in the world's financial markets have generated increased interest in economic issues. Titles on the science have become major sellers at the fair.

This year's festival also features theme exhibitions. They relate to 30 Years of Reform and Opening Up in China, the Beijing Olympics, and the Earthquake Relief Effort in Sichuan.

This year, more than 300 publishing houses are taking part in the fair. That sets a record for the event. In addition to book sales and exhibitions, organizations also invited renowned authors like Yu Dan and Ma Weidu. The two authors met their readers and signed autographs. More than 300 cultural activities will have been staged by the time the fair wraps up October, 20th.

At the book festival, four of the country's most promising young amateur writers signed on with the Beijing Publishing Group. All are authors of fiction. They will receive sponsorship from the municipal government of Beijing. The event was organized by the Beijing Press and Publishing Bureau. The sponsorship program aims to encourage the literary careers of young amateur writers across China. The four young authors are soon to have their first novels published.