The 2010 Australian Writers’ Week is scheduled to begin tonight with Australian Ambassador to China Dr Geoff Raby preparing to officially launch the event at the Australian Embassy in Beijing.

The annual week-long celebration, now in its third year, will present a series of literary events in Beijing and Chengdu, bringing six renowned Australian writers of fiction, nonfiction and poetry to China with a focus this year on "true stories."

Throughout the week, literature lovers will be given a rare opportunity to get up close and personal with the Australian writers. Several of the events are being co-hosted with The Bookworm Beijing as part of their international literary festival.

Robert Dessaix and Graham Freudenberg will conduct a conversation with readers on recent literary creations and politics, Alexis Wright will bring Carpentaria to audiences, poet Les Murray will share his work and discuss his life in progress and Alice Pung and Linda Jaivin will talk on writing about Asia from both the inside and out.

"I am very excited to have this opportunity to introduce Chinese readers to some of the best of Australian contemporary literature," Ambassador Raby said.

"Our aim with the Australian Writers’ Week is to give current and potential future Chinese decision makers and opinion leaders opportunities to hear the unique and independent voice of Australian writers on a range of issues. We are also keen to raise the profile of Australian writers and their work in China, an important and fast growing literary market," Dr Raby added

This year’s event will include talks and university seminars, as well as a two-day publishers forum to exchange ideas and information and maximize future trade opportunities between Australia and China, according to the Australian Embassy in Beijing.

Australian publishers Jane Palfreyman, Ivor Indyk and Andrew Kelly will share their ideas with Chinese and international publishing leaders.