China will launch a national "book-reading campaign" this year to improve the cultural and ethical quality of the whole country, according to a circular released Monday.

The campaign was launched jointly by China's Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, the General Administration of Press and Publications and the Civilization Office of the Central Communist Party Committee, the statement said.

The campaign, which was divided into three phases with different themes, would publicize the advantages of reading books. It would also recommend good books to readers across the country through radio and television broadcasts, magazines, newspapers, websites and short message services.

The first phase would launch during the upcoming Spring Festival in February, a time when many people return to their hometowns. The campaign suggested taking a good book with them to read in their spare time.

An Olympic-related reading campaign would also be held at unspecified dates after "World Reading Day" on April 23 and before the August Games. This was to publicize Olympic knowledge around the country.

The third topic was to commemorate the 30 years of China's opening up. This involved holding some article writing contests concerned with the reforms.

The reading campaign had been held annually since 2006 to show China's support for World Reading Day.

(Xinhua News Agency January 1, 2008)