John and Doris Naisbitt, bestselling authors of Global Game Change, speaking at the 2015 BookExpo at Javits Center in New York on May 27. [Photo by XIAO LIXIN / CHINA DAILY]

The 2015 BookExpo America (BEA) kicked off on Wednesday at the Javits Convention Center in New York with an opening ceremony "Welcome China!", saluting this year's Guest of Honor.

The three-day BEA is the largest publishing event in North America. In addition to showcasing hundreds of publishers and their books, its presents education sessions, exhibits and off-site cultural events in the city.

Among those attending the opening ceremony were bestselling authors John and Doris Naisbitt, who have been called China experts for the five books they have written about the country. The Naisbitts also were at BEA to promote their latest book about China, Global Game Change.

"The speeches at the opening were short but precise and not what the West calls 'propagandistic,'" said Doris Naisbitt. "So this must give a very good impression to people who do not know anything about China and want to read about China with an open mind."

Commenting on books by Chinese writers, she said, "The door is open and there have been books written by Chinese authors that have already made their name in the world."

Decoded, a novel by Chinese author Mai Jia, who also wrote The Message, which was turned into a movie hit six years ago, is a must-read work that she said she loved.

The book was translated into English and released in 21 English-speaking countries in 2014. It set a record as a bestseller by a Chinese writer on the first day when it hit the overseas markets. Three months later, its Spanish edition went on sale in 24 Spanish-speaking countries. It also was recommended by The Economist as a book of the year for 2014.

The Naisbitts said their latest book has changed the "rules of the game" because instead of being published in the United States or Europe and then promoted to the rest of the world, their book was first published in China and sold in more than 15 countries.

Though called China experts, Doris Naisbitt said one can never know enough about China, adding, "It's changing fast and it's so big and different."

"I have been going there (to China) since 1967 and have been traveling there regularly since 2000, for 15 years," said John Naisbitt. "In this year alone, we have made three trips already."

During their visit to Kazakhstan this year to deliver a lecture at a university, a country that Chinese President Xi Jinping visited in May, "all types of questions were asked about China," said the Naisbitts. "Everybody wants to know more about China and there are two main concerns in Kazakhstan, which is part of the new Silk Road."

"The connection with China is good, but they are not sure whether they should be happy or a little afraid," said Doris Naisbitt. "Since Chinese people are so diligent, within the global competition and when you have a neighbor like China, which is so important globally, it is understandable that on the one hand, they want to cooperate as much as possible and on the other, cannot help but wonder whether or not they are competitive enough and what they should do."

xiaolixin@chinadaily.com.cn