Online Reporter
Kuda Bwititi
Zimpapers Politics Hub
Reading took centre stage across China last week as the country launched its first National Reading Week.
The initiative coincided with World Book and Copyright Day, marked annually on April 23 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in recognition of the power of books as a bridge between generations and cultures.
Locally, the Zimbabwe Writers Association hosted the China–Zimbabwe Reading Circle under the theme “Bridge of Ink”. Speaking at the event, a representative of the Chinese Embassy, Mr Pan Xiongwen, said: “Books connect minds, whilst literature links civilisations.”
Mr Pan explained that reading in China was historically the preserve of the elite, but following 1949 it became accessible to all.
He credited government measures such as simplified Chinese characters and compulsory education for transforming reading into a shared national culture.
Reading, he said, remains central to Chinese civilisation, and China hopes to share this journey with Zimbabwe in fostering deeper understanding of the Chinese people and their spirit.
At first glance, a national reading week may seem like a simple initiative. But its implications run deep. For a country racing ahead in artificial intelligence, space exploration and high‑speed rail, the decision to elevate reading to a national strategy should make the rest of the world — including Zimbabwe — sit up and take notice.
China does not do things by halves. Nationwide reading has been formally incorporated into its 15th Five‑Year Plan, aimed at raising the intellectual, moral, scientific and cultural standards of its people and strengthening overall social civility.
The fourth week of April has been designated National Reading Week, and last week — from the bustling streets of Shanghai to quiet village libraries in Jiangxi — citizens were invited to take part in book fairs, lectures, reading salons and book donation drives. The message was unmistakable: reading is not just for scholars, but for everyone.
What stands out is the infrastructure China has deliberately built to support this culture.
By the end of 2025, the country had 3 255 free public libraries. But the numbers alone do not capture the full picture.
According to Xinhua, a single library in Jinan’s Lixia District has spawned more than 100 community branches, serving over one million readers.
In Nanchang, 111 free public reading rooms have been established in neighbourhoods, industrial parks, subway stations and tourist sites.
Nationwide, more than 40 000 new urban reading spaces have been created. This is not accidental — it is intentional nation‑building.
The results are visible. China’s national comprehensive reading rate rose from 76,3 percent in 2012 to 82,1 percent in 2024, representing millions of minds sharpened, imaginations nourished and citizens better prepared for a rapidly changing world.
A particularly thought‑provoking aspect of the discussion is how China is positioning reading alongside artificial intelligence. In an era where AI can summarise books, narrate stories and recommend titles instantly, one may ask: why bother reading at all?
Novelist Mai Jia offered a powerful metaphor.
Over a century after the invention of the car, humans still choose to run. Running is inefficient compared to driving, but it keeps the body healthy. In the same way, reading may seem slow compared to AI shortcuts, but it keeps the mind truly alive.
Writer Zhang Kangkang advised readers to spend long, uninterrupted hours with substantial books, while using fragmented time for shorter texts or audiobooks.
Researcher Chen Manqi delivered perhaps the most striking insight: “AI’s deep thinking is AI’s, not yours.” Only through reading can individuals develop independent, deep thought. The thoughts that take root through reading are the ones that truly become our own.
At the same time, rapidly evolving technology has made reading more inclusive, accessible and vibrant. Mr Pan noted that digital and print reading complement each other.
Around 68 percent of Chinese adults still prefer paper books, but digital platforms allow people to read anytime and anywhere.
Technology has also transformed writing and publishing, lowering barriers for creators through AI‑assisted writing, cloud collaboration and smart recommendations that connect readers with books more precisely.
What lessons does this hold for Zimbabwe?
We have rich oral and written traditions, a strong respect for education and a deep love of storytelling across all provinces. What we lack is a coordinated effort to make reading a national project. Our public libraries need renewed investment and protection, and our reading culture — though alive in schools and homes — needs strengthening.
We do not need 40 000 reading spaces overnight. But we can start modestly. Local authorities can safeguard library budgets.
Communities can organise reading clubs and donation drives. And as citizens, we can remind ourselves that reading is not a luxury — it is a weapon against ignorance, a bridge to opportunity and a shield against manipulation.
China’s example shows that building a book‑loving society is not about nostalgia. It is about survival in an AI‑driven world.
By making reading both a legal right and a strategic duty, China has sent a clear signal.
Its first National Reading Week was not merely a celebration; it was a declaration that a nation that reads together thinks together — and a nation that thinks together builds together.
A reading revolution should also take root here in Zimbabwe. Citizens must be encouraged to pick up books, because the thoughts found on their pages remain the true wealth of nations.
