A world of wonder: Silk Road for all children

More than 180 guests from 25 countries attended the 2025 "Silk Road for All Children" International Children's Literature Week and the 10th Fairy Tale Conference were held in Wuyi, Zhejiang province from Dec 5 to 7. Guided by the China Writers Association and hosted by its International Department, the China International Communication Center, and the Zhejiang Writers Association, the event was themed "Hearts of Wonder, World of Harmony".

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Hu Bangsheng, member of the Leading Party Members' Group and secretary of the Secretariat of the China Writers Association, noted that children's literature grows out of our most genuine emotions and is rooted in a universal longing for beauty and goodness. A gentle nurturer that plants the seeds of understanding, respect, and friendship, literature is one of the strongest foundations for cultural exchange. Through mutual learning, these exchanges offer high-quality spiritual nourishment to children everywhere, while quietly shaping the global citizens of the future.

Shereen Kreidieh, chair of the jury for the 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Award, introduced the award's selection process. She noted that classic children's books endure across generations because they speak to fundamental human truths such as resilience, hope, courage, and the search for belonging. Kreidieh added that through international literary exchange, "we learn from each other's cultural perspectives, we recognize the richness of global storytelling, and we highlight and celebrate outstanding creators whose work contributes to the world's literary heritage."