Book collectors' seals and bookplates: Shared devotion to the page

As China's first National Reading Week concluded on Sunday, several leading science fiction writers urged the public to embrace deep, immersive reading as an antidote to the fragmentation of the digital age.

The China Publishing Group Reading Week Cultural Market opened on World Book Day in Beijing. Running from April 23-26, the market features a wide range of books, cultural and creative products, interactive activities and regional specialties, highlighting the integration of publishing, culture and everyday life.

As China hosts its first national reading week, renowned sci-fi writer Liu Cixin told China.org.cn that reading is more than a pastime, describing it as a way for humanity to overcome cognitive limitations and preserve the flame of civilization.

China's first national reading week highlights how books can serve as bridges between cultures. Through reading, people can discover different histories, ideas and ways of life. In a fast-moving digital age, books continue to connect readers across borders through knowledge, empathy and shared understanding.

American writer and translator Shelly Bryant has spent decades engaging deeply with Chinese culture. To mark China's first national reading week, we sat down with her to explore how everyday expressions and shared stories help connect global audiences with contemporary China.

The rapid rise of digital reading is encouraging more Chinese people to develop reading habits, as access to books and overall reading rates continue to grow alongside a nationwide push to build a book-loving society.

As China marks its first National Reading Week this month, British writer and editor Tudor Bentley Finneran recommends a Chinese classic to readers worldwide: "The Art of War" by renowned military strategist Sun Tzu.

At the 2026 China Science Fiction Convention held in Beijing on March 28, several leading Chinese sci-fi writers and experts gathered to discuss the development of AI and their visions for its future.

"Flickering like fireflies in the dark," renowned Chinese sci-fi writer Liu Cixin wrote in the early 2000s, describing a small, largely unnoticed community of Chinese sci-fi writers and fans. "But like spring grass, we are spreading."

The main venue features eight exhibition zones and hosts more than 500 publishing and distribution companies from across the country.

The fourth Science Fiction Planet Awards launched its global call for entries on Friday with a total prize pool of 6.65 million yuan ($955,000). The competition is open to science fiction-related organizations, universities, teams and individuals worldwide.

The exhibition "I Prefer: Editors' Picks for Books of the Year" is currently showing in Beijing. It offers a unique perspective on literature by displaying the books selected not for their commercial success, but for the personal endorsement of 179 editors in 2025.

Four science fiction writers debuted new works at the 2026 Beijing Book Fair in Beijing last week, holding launch and dialogue events to introduce their latest stories as enthusiasm for sci-fi grows in China.

China's online literature has achieved unprecedented global reach, with Latin American markets emerging as key growth drivers and young creators reshaping the landscape, according to international writers and industry experts.

The fourth "BUCHINA" Chinese Book and Culture Exhibition was held on Saturday to showcase a wide range of China-themed books and cultural activities.

Ten finalists competing in the 17th Fu Lei Translation and Publishing Award were announced at a news conference at the French Culture Center in Beijing on Oct 16, with the winners to be revealed on Nov 22.

Independent bookstores in historic hutong foster reading, community engagement, and cultural heritage, offering spaces where literature, creativity, and human connection thrive.

Curiosity and enthusiasm for learning more about China were palpable among visitors crowding the booths of Chinese publishers at the 77th Frankfurt Book Fair, held from Oct. 14 to 19.

Sun Zhanke has witnessed nearly a century of transformation in China. As a teenager during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, he found ways to contribute through his talents. Later, as a media professional, he devoted his career to chronicling the country's evolution and preserving the memories of a generation shaped by upheaval and renewal.

Hungarian writer Laszlo Krasznahorkai has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature, becoming the second Hungarian author ever to receive the honor, the Swedish Academy announced on Thursday.