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The three-day expo has drawn about 716,000 visitors.[Photo/Xinhua]

China Publishing Group hosted a readers' forum that saw celebrity writers giving speeches and sharing personal experiences with the audience. Well-known essayist Yu Qiuyu shared his views on reading on mobile phones versus reading printed books.

At the session, author Tsai said he had read more than 20,000 titles.

His graphic books will be translated and published in Mongolian, he said at the expo.

"I don't wear a watch or carry a mobile phone with me when I'm working. I just cut myself off from the outside world and focus on my writing," Tsai says.

The celebrity-author events were also popular as evident from the expo's many book launches.

Some of the other prominent trends on reading that the expo showcased were related to children's literature, novels and creative explanations of the country's policies and Party ideals, and reference books.

Liu Xiao Ling Tong, whose real name is Zhang Jinlai, also thrilled the audience in Baotou with his Monkey King act. He has played the iconic character on TV. Now even at the age of 57, he is able to perform a few stunts.

Zhang says that on average, Chinese audiences have watched the series Journey to the West for more than three times.

But the main reason for his appearance at the expo was his autobiography, The Pilgrim, which he named after receiving thousands of suggestions from readers at home and abroad. It was published in June.

"The Monkey King is actually a grassroots hero and has a lot of positive energy," Zhang says.

"My book talks about one idea: You don't need to try many things and waste your talent. Focus on one and you'll see success."

As for children's books, author Hei He, of Mongolian ethnicity, is known for his animal tales. At the expo he promoted one of his latest novels, The Flag Camel, telling the story of a white camel which guards land near a mining area.

A new book on Karl Marx, originating from a TV program, as well as a new book on stories of 40 representative Party members, edited by professor Xie Chuntao also featured at the expo.

Two reference books also released their latest editions.