With regard to self-evaluation of reading quantity, 52.8 percent of respondents admitted that they read very few books last year. One of the main reasons they gave for this was that they have no time to read.

Wang Yan, a 37-year-old white collar worker, told Beijing Review, "I'd like to read more books. But I have exhausted all of my energy and time in making a living. Apart from the stress of work, I have to spend hours commuting from home to my office every day. I also need to spend some time with my wife and child on the weekend. In the precious few moments of free time that I have every day, I'm only able to read some news in brief from smartphones or funny posts from social networks."

In fact, the whole world is faced with similar issues regarding reading and learning in general. As early as 1995, UNESCO designated the date of April 23 of every year as World Book Day, to order to promote the appreciation of books globally. Since then, the day has been observed annually as an international event for promoting reading and publishing in over 100 countries across the world.

Efforts to promote reading

In the information era, reading, perhaps contrary to expectations, is actually receding. China has realized the serious implication of the reading issue.

As World Book Day approached this year, the Beijing Municipal Government rolled up its sleeves to launch the Fourth Beijing Reading Season in April. The inaugural season was launched in 2011, aiming to promote reading among all residents through a series of events. As of this spring, Beijing's reading season has expanded to become a national-level program for reading.

"The three-month-long reading season is a celebration of reading," said Wang Yijun, Director of Publications of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Press and Publication, who is also an organizer of this year's reading season.

"This year, a total of 26 local government departments were involved in organizing the reading season. Universities, primary and middle schools, communities, book stores and libraries in Beijing have all been mobilized and launched a series of events," Wang said.

According to Wang, a total of 6,335 book shops and libraries and 4,495 community reading rooms across the city will offer people convenient conditions, including extended opening times and holding authors events, where fans will get the opportunity to meet their literary heroes. These measures are meant to encourage people to read.

"We hope to build a comprehensive public reading platform for Beijing residents. After years of efforts, the reading season is expected to become a recognizable local cultural brand and a permanent fixture on the capital's literary calendar, allowing all people to benefit from the program," Wang said.

Apart from the government, NGOs and volunteers have also been spurred into action. Li Yiman, a researcher for the educational organization New Reading Institute, has initiated an activity to promote reading to children. For years, Li has specialized in research on children's reading habits. In 2010, he organized a team made up of mothers. They hold regular activities every month for parents and children to read books together.

"Several years ago when my wife and I read stories to our child, I realized that reading books together with your children is a good source of education. It is also a good way to sow the seeds of reading in our children's minds," Li said.

"My family likes reading printed books. Of course, we don't reject e-books outright. We simply limit the time we spend reading e-books to protect our eyesight," Li said.

"When reading together, children will probably ask parents questions about anything they find curious. It is a good time to impart knowledge to and inspire their imagination," he said.

At weekends and holidays, Li and his team often call a group of families with children to read books together at a library and share their experiences of family education.

Although the time available for reading is insufficient, most of the Chinese people are well aware of the importance of reading. They hope more favorable conditions will be provided for book fans, in addition to events for promoting reading among citizens.

Email us at: baishi@bjreview.com