Cosmos Publishing Group has signed English-language publishing rights agreements with Gansu People's Publishing House for two books exploring the history, art, and cultural heritage of Dunhuang. The signing ceremony took place on June 18, 2026, during the 32nd Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF).
Held at the Gansu exhibition area of Readers Publishing Group, the ceremony was themed "Silk Road Dunhuang: Sharing Culture Through Books." The partnership brings together Gansu People's Publishing House, YGYM Group, and Cosmos Publishing Group to introduce Dunhuang's rich cultural heritage to English-speaking readers worldwide.
The two titles, A History of Dunhuang's Library Cave (《敦煌藏经洞史话》) and Stories and Legends Behind the Dunhuang Murals (《敦煌壁画故事与历史传说》), were written by Professor Sha Wutian, a scholar specializing in Dunhuang studies.
Combining academic scholarship with accessible storytelling, the books introduce readers to the history of Dunhuang's famous Library Cave and the fascinating stories, historical traditions, and cultural meanings depicted in its ancient murals.
The English editions aim to make Dunhuang's extraordinary heritage more accessible to international readers, offering insights into the artistic achievements and universal human values preserved along the ancient Silk Road.
Under the agreement, Gansu People's Publishing House will provide the original Chinese works, YGYM Group will coordinate translation and copyright cooperation, and Cosmos Publishing Group will oversee international distribution and promotion of the English editions.
The ceremony was attended by Li Shujun, Editor-in-Chief of Readers Publishing Group; Zhang Shasha, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Gansu People's Publishing House; and Xie Liangliang, China Representative of Cosmos Publishing Group and representative of YGYM Group, alongside publishing professionals from China and abroad.
In his remarks, Li Shujun emphasized the importance of promoting Dunhuang culture and strengthening international cultural exchange through publishing cooperation. Zhang Shasha highlighted the publisher's longstanding commitment to Dunhuang-related publications and its plans to develop more titles for international audiences.
Representing Cosmos Publishing Group, Xie Liangliang noted the growing interest among Western readers in Dunhuang's history and Silk Road art, as well as the need for more accessible English-language publications on these subjects.
He also outlined the Group's plans to promote the forthcoming English editions through international online retail channels and major book fairs worldwide.
Following the discussions, representatives of Gansu People's Publishing House and Cosmos Publishing Group formally signed the English-language publishing rights agreements, marking a new stage in their international publishing cooperation.
Looking ahead, the three partners plan to expand their collaboration to additional publications on Dunhuang and Silk Road culture, combining original scholarship, professional translation, and international publishing expertise.
For Cosmos Publishing Group, this partnership reflects its continued commitment to bringing outstanding Chinese cultural and academic works to global audiences and fostering greater understanding between cultures through books.