Nationwide Activities Promote Reading Culture and Build a Society Enriched by Books

This week, from April 20 to 26, marks China's inaugural National Reading Promotion Week. A variety of events have been organized across the country to encourage reading among all citizens and foster a society immersed in literary culture.

In Beijing, distinctive "one district, one specialty" reading activities have been launched. The Beijing Book Fair has set up four exhibition venues and will host over 70 additional events in communities, commercial areas, and schools, offering residents a rich cultural experience.

In Shanghai's Zhujiajiao, six cultural venues simultaneously introduced special reading experiences, combining intangible cultural heritage handicrafts with parent-child reading activities. During the promotion week, more than 50 reading events will be jointly held in the Yangtze River Delta integrated demonstration zone.

Jiangsu Province has rolled out over 200 activities, including a "Reading China Along the Canal" initiative. In Zhenjiang, events such as tracing literary roots, experiencing intangible cultural heritage, and promoting public reading allow residents to appreciate the blend of book culture and historical heritage.

Anhui has specially released a recommended reading list for rural areas. Using Xinhua Bookstore's "Village Reading Mobile Vans," books are delivered to village entrances and local markets, extending reading promotion activities into the countryside.

Efforts are also underway to build a book-friendly society. Guizhou has developed a comprehensive digital reading platform, integrating millions of e-books and connecting provincial, municipal, county, township, and village levels to provide year-round cultural resources for readers.

Zhejiang has常态化 implemented a "Scholarly Campus" project, establishing nearly 5,000 standardized school libraries. In Shenzhen, a "Half-Day Per Week" reading program serves as a core initiative, creating a new reading model that emphasizes free reading, cross-disciplinary exploration, and AI-enhanced learning, benefiting over one million teachers and students.