A woman reads at a book store in Chongqing, Sept 19, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

Draft ordinance to promote reading

A draft ordinance to promote reading in China was published by the government in 2017. Released by the Legislative Affairs Office of China's State Council, the ordinance plans to take "reading for all" as a national strategy, aiming to encourage people to form better reading habits.

The ordinance states that governments at or above county level should incorporate reading programs into their economic and social development plan and annual budget.

It also encourages academies and schools to open their libraries to the public. The draft calls on bookstores to reserve reading space for people. Under the ordinance, poor and remote areas are expected to get special support.