In recent years, reading in China has been marginalized as people are obsessed with short videos and online games. Among all books published between 2019 and 2023, one-third only sold five copies or fewer. In cities, bookstores are shutting down, while in some rural schools, many pupils below 10 have never read a book. Experts warn that without books, there will be no deeper understanding of one’s life. Zhang Qiuzi, a lecturer in literature at Yunnan Normal University, said that reading awakens students’ innate curiosity, pushing them to explore areas in which they have doubts, and improving their critical thinking skills through introspection. He Guimei, a Peking University professor of literature, believes that reading is not only about learning, but also about the cultivation of minds and deeds. She said the essential value of reading is to free people’s minds, disentangling them from the digital devices that enslave their souls.
Old Version
