The Sailors Program, initiated by the One-Way Street Foundation, made its debut at the 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair. On Oct 17, Liu Zichao — one of the first recipients of the program's grant and now among China's most prominent nonfiction writers — joined German sinologist Marc Hermann, Austrian translator Leonie Weidel, and Chinese publisher Peng Lun, for a panel discussion titled "How Can Young Chinese Writers Be Seen by the World?"

In response to Hermann's question, Liu said: "More and more young Chinese writers are connecting their personal experiences with broader cultural and historical contexts. Through constant travel, they are learning about worlds beyond their own. This is truly exciting — it shows that Chinese nonfiction writing is becoming more diverse, more introspective, and more open to the world. I look forward to seeing Chinese writing transcend languages and borders and reach even farther."

This panel was among several events featuring the Sailors Program at the Book Fair. In the One-Way Street Foundation's exhibition area within the China National Pavilion, visitors were introduced to selected works and publications by past participants, including Liu Zichao, Bai Lin, Guo Shuang, Lyu Xiaoyu, and Lin Xuehong, as well as anthologies of One-Way Street Journal that showcase the program's outcomes. Also on display were Thirteen Invitations: Action Is the Answer by Xu Zhiyuan, the program's producer, and The Method of Ourselves co-authored by Wu Qi, one of the program's co-producers, and anthropologist Xiang Biao — works that together outline the intellectual lineage and cultural explorations of a new generation of Chinese thinkers.

Panelists agreed that these young creators, through their diverse narrative styles and open cultural perspectives, are helping to construct a new world map from a Chinese point of view. To bring more of these voices to global readers, writers, translators, publishers, and cultural institutions must work together to establish innovative and lasting models of collaboration.

In Marc Hermann's view, the German academic and publishing sectors should collaborate more closely to identify publishers willing to bring forth works by young Chinese writers with a global outlook, thereby breaking stereotypes and showcasing the diversity and richness of contemporary Chinese literature. "Young writers like Liu Zichao can contribute significantly to presenting a more complete picture of Chinese literature," he noted.

"For young Chinese writers to gain international recognition, coordination among rights departments, literary agents, and translators is essential," Publisher Peng Lun added. "It's important to follow professional publishing practices, finding editors who are truly passionate about the work. Writers, too, should understand each stage of the process and choose their partners carefully — becoming part of the promotion team that brings their works to the world."

Launched by the One Way Street Foundation in 2018, the Sailors Program has supported over 30 young writers, artists, and scholars in carrying out creative projects across the globe. Through field research and on-site exploration, they have engaged deeply with different communities and cultures, tracing the intricate realities faced by diverse groups. Originally focused on nonfiction writing, the program has since expanded into photography and contemporary art, and plans to explore new forms such as architecture and podcasting — continuing to amplify the voices of young Chinese creators in a broader literary and artistic realm.

"In an era when global cultural exchange is constantly being reshaped, young Chinese creators are venturing beyond borders with independence and openness — telling the world's stories in their own voices," Xu Nan, founder of the One-Way Street Foundation, said. "Now, their actions and stories are being seen and heard worldwide."

This debut marks the first time the Sailors Program's has been presented as a whole on the international stage. As a partner in cross-linguistic communication, iFlytek provided real-time translation support for the discussions and panels, helping creators from different countries communicate more naturally and engage in deeper conversations — allowing ideas and cultures to truly resonate across the vast ocean of global exchange.