Culture of reading codified into law

China is set to codify reading into law from Feb 1 with a national regulation requiring stronger support for public reading, longer library opening hours, better-equipped reading rooms, and more systematic funding and planning.

It also designates the fourth week of April as National Reading Week, expanding the spotlight from a single day — World Book Day on April 23 — into a nationwide, weeklong campaign.

The regulation, reviewed and approved at an executive meeting of the State Council, China's Cabinet, and made public on Dec 16, aims to enhance intellectual and moral integrity, as well as scientific and cultural literacy, to boost overall social civility and build the country into a cultural powerhouse.

Officials, experts and readers have described the regulation as a significant step for China's cultural policy, repositioning reading not merely as a desirable social activity but as a core component of the nation's cultural infrastructure.

It is China's first national legislation dedicated to advancing the cause of reading among the entire population, elevating public reading from a matter of policy advocacy to one of legal guarantee.

Comprising six chapters and 45 articles, the regulation, built on proven practices and experiences, establishes a collaborative model for promoting reading, operating under Party leadership and government guidance with the participation of publishers, distributors, libraries, bookstores and social organizations.

It also introduces a comprehensive framework that sets requirements for reading facilities, resource allocation and promotional activities.

"The enactment of this regulation marks a pivotal moment in China's commitment to promoting reading among the public, elevating it to a strategic priority," said Chen Mingliang, founder of the Beijing-based Bright World Reading Club and a long-time advocate for reading initiatives. "The move underscores the nation's resolve to enhance the intellectual, moral and cultural well-being of its citizens."

Chen said that the impact of this undertaking goes beyond shaping individual habits or lifestyles. "It plays a crucial role in fostering shared understanding, strengthening social cohesion and enhancing social governance, all of which are vital for achieving enduring social harmony.

"This effort is of great significance as it seeks to make reading a universal practice and a collective social benefit," he said.

Highlighting the inclusive nature of the program, Chen said, "From kindergarten children to the elderly, from students to professionals, regardless of gender, occupation or age, everyone can be both a participant in and a beneficiary of this undertaking."

The introduction of the new rules marks the government's latest step in sustained efforts to promote reading.

In terms of local legislation, Jiangsu province took the lead by enacting the first provincial-level regulation on promoting reading in 2014. Since then, over 20 local authorities across China have introduced their own regulations and rules, creating distinctive legislative models that cater to regional needs.

A significant milestone was reached in April 2016, when the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and 10 other central departments and ministries jointly launched the first national-level initiative to promote reading.

Since then, April 23 has become an annual focal point for large-scale reading promotions across the country. The government has since accelerated the development of public cultural services to improve public access to books.

This commitment was further reinforced by the inclusion of reading in China's government work reports for 12 consecutive years starting in 2014.

In 2025, the initiative shifted into a higher gear with the country's top leadership emphasizing that "further efforts should be made to foster a culture of reading in our society" while outlining policy priorities for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) for economic and social development.

Thanks to nearly two decades of consistent efforts, China's overall reading rate among its population reached 82.1 percent in 2024, a significant increase from 51.7 percent in 2004, according to reports by the Chinese Academy of Press and Publication.

Data shows that the country has more than 3,200 public libraries and over 100,000 physical bookstores. In Beijing, more than 30,000 reading-related events are held annually.

Uneven progress

While nationwide efforts have yielded initial results, there still remain persistent challenges, including a shortage of high-quality content, regional disparities in resources, and uneven standards in digital reading.

The regulation introduces a legal imperative for value-driven content creation, pledging State-level support and guidance for the publishing industry to enrich its offerings, optimize its catalog structure and improve quality, all aimed at increasing the supply of quality content.

"It signals a major recalibration of the entire publishing industry chain, as it redefines market-driven entities in the sector into core contributors to the nation's public cultural services," said Zhang Lei, a Beijing-based publisher.

In an industry increasingly swayed by algorithmic traffic and market trends, this clause acts as a statutory counterweight, Zhang added. It legally defines good books as a public good, compelling the industry to look beyond bestseller lists and commercial metrics.

The regulation also mandates specific support for key groups such as minors, the elderly and people with disabilities, while prioritizing assistance for less-developed regions, including rural and border areas.

"The equity core of this legislation lies in its targeted reach," said writer-translator Li Yingdeng.

"Spontaneous initiatives, voluntary advocacy and market forces are not enough to promote reading nationwide, as such efforts often fail to reach rural areas and disadvantaged groups. Legislation is therefore essential to guarantee equitable access," he added.

By clarifying the roles of the government, schools, publishers and other stakeholders, the regulation addresses gaps left by market and social mechanisms, ensuring a more balanced allocation of reading resources, Li said.

He expressed particular support for the regulation's mandates on services for vulnerable groups, seeing them as crucial to achieving reading equity. Li cautioned, however, that "building a pervasive culture of reading in rural China will be a gradual process, requiring sustained effort and time".

Setting a clear direction, the success of the regulation hinges on the yet-to-be-fully-articulated details of implementation.

"The vitality of laws and regulations lies in their implementation," said Zhu Bing, former director of the Culture Office at the National People's Congress' Education, Science, Culture and Public Health Committee, in an article released by the Ministry of Justice in December.

Pointing out that putting the regulation into practice presents a significant opportunity to widely promote reading across society, Zhang called for enhanced efforts to publicize the regulation and ensure its provisions are fully carried out.

Governments, departments and relevant parties, he added, should be held accountable for fulfilling their duties and responsibilities as outlined in the regulation.

He emphasized the need to cultivate sound reading habits and foster a reading-friendly environment throughout society.

jihaisheng@chinadaily.com.cn