China’s first reading week
- China launched its first national reading week on April 20 to promote widespread reading habits across the country. - State media described the campaign as building a “book‑loving society” with events and promotions nationwide. - The initiative is an official push tied to World Book Day season and began April 20 according to Xinhua. (english.news.cn)
China opened its first national reading week on Monday, April 20, turning a one-day book promotion into a weeklong state-backed campaign. (english.news.cn) Xinhua said the reading week opened alongside China’s fifth national reading conference, with events scheduled nationwide through April 26. The program includes lectures, book fairs, salons and book donations. (english.news.cn) An official notice published April 11 said the campaign was organized by the National Press and Publication Administration and other party and state bodies after the State Council approved the new reading week. The notice set the 2026 run for April 20 to 26 under the theme “Promote reading for all, build a book-loving society.” (nationalreading.gov.cn) The same notice laid out a broad rollout plan: school reading drives, family reading events, workplace programs, services for older readers and people with disabilities, and book donations to rural and less-developed areas. It also called for reading stations in places such as airports, ports and tourist centers. (nationalreading.gov.cn) The April launch follows a national regulation that took effect on February 1, 2026, giving China a formal legal framework for promoting reading. China Daily reported that the rule designated the fourth week of April as National Reading Week, extending attention beyond World Book Day on April 23. (chinadaily.com.cn) That regulation also tied reading policy to broader state goals on public culture, literacy and social development. State media said officials want public libraries, bookstores, digital platforms and local governments to work together to expand access. (globaltimes.cn) This year’s opening event was held in Nanchang, Jiangxi province, at the fifth national reading conference. China Daily said Li Shulei, head of the Communist Party’s Publicity Department, attended the opening ceremony. (global.chinadaily.com.cn) The official plan also makes clear that the campaign is not only about book sales or library traffic. It pairs classic reading promotions with ideological study, including organized reading of Xi Jinping’s works and activities tied to Communist Party anniversaries and red culture themes. (nationalreading.gov.cn) For now, the practical change is simple: China has moved from marking reading with annual events to reserving a full week on the national calendar. The first test of that model is running this week, from April 20 through April 26. (english.news.cn)
