A hundred delegates from the information industries have gathered here to network and listen to pearls of wisdom from the likes of Helen Alexander. I'm on a panel discussing opportunities in Asia which I suspect may descend (or elevate) to disagreements about the real (as opposed to the perceived) potential of China.

Very different from yesterday's UK library discussions which Susan Hill has commented on already. The argument is all about libraries but the underlying concern is about local government and freedom of expression.

Karen Christensen was passing and I persuaded her to write a few words:Richard said last night that the zeitgeist is anti-authoritarian, which means that these debates--whether about what libraries are for, or whether China is threat or opportunity--are just what people crave. I hope so, because I think only good can come of these hot discussions!

Statistic of the day - there are more Internet users in China than in the USA. In other words more than 200 million people.

And back in Britain the bookmaker William Hill has announced the odds for the forthcoming Man Booker prize. I remember Paul Hamlyn telling me that he moved a title from 20/1 to 4/1 by betting a mere $50. By coincidence the title went on to win which was typical of Paul's good fortune or canniness. In what is probably an appalling breach of blogiquette I have highlighted the two Picador titles in order to encourage you to bet on them, read them, and tell all your friends about them.

5/1 Sarah Waters - 'The Nightwatch',

5/1 David Mitchell - 'Black Swan Green', 

6/1 Peter Carey - 'A Love Story',

8/1 Andrew O'Hagan - 'Be Near Me',

10/1 Barry Unsworth - 'The Ruby In Her Naval',

10/1 Howard Jacobson - 'Kalooki Nights',

12/1 Clare Messud - 'The Emperor's Children',

12/1 Hisham Matar - 'In The Country Of Men',

12/1 Kiran Desai - 'The InheritanceOf Loss',

14/1 Edward St Aubyn - 'Mother's Milk,

14/1 Kate Grenville - 'The Secret River',

16/1 Naeem Murr - 'The Perfect Man,

16/1 Jon McGregor - 'So Many Ways To Begin',

16/1 Mary Lawson - 'The Other Side Of The Bridge',

16/1 M J Hyland - 'Carry Me Down,

20/1 Bar the rest