Taipei  - The 17th Taipei International Book Exhibition opened on Wednesday, this year focussing on Thailand's literature and culture.

Some 328 Taiwan publishers and 578 overseas publishers have set up 2,108 booths at the Taipei World Trade Centre to display books and sign copyright and translation rights deals.

Organizers said the focus of this year's fair is Thailand - Reading Thai. Thai publishers have set up nearly 40 booths and a dozen Thai publishers and authors will meet the Taiwan audience.

During the five-day book fair, there will be about 300 speeches and book signings by local and foreign authors.

President Ma Ying-jeou opened the Taipei Book Exhibition, calling on the public to buy books despite the global financial crisis.

"During recession, it's more necessary for us to buy books so that we can use the knowledge when the economy has recovered," he said.

The book fair is expected to draw 400,000 visitors.

The fair will have sections for books, book design, comics, children's books and writing utensils, like pens and pencils from Japan's Tombow and Sakura, the Netherland's Royal Talents, and Britain's Derwent manufacturers. (dpa)