First National Reading Week spotlights community project in Wuhan

Hu Zhitang, a resident of Baibuting community, picks a book in the community's reading room in Wuhan's Jiang'an district, April 24, 2026. [Photo by Wang Ziteng/China.org.cn]

China marked the launch of its first National Reading Week this month, with events nationwide aimed at building reading habits at the community level.

In Wuhan's Jiang'an district, a project backed by China Publishing Group (CPG) is drawing attention as a model for sustained community reading promotion. Launched last year in Baibuting community, the program pairs a physical reading room with an online platform to share resources and activities across neighborhoods.

"Since the project started last September, we have aimed to bring reading activities to neighborhood committees, residential buildings and families," said Pang Guoyun, head of the cultural station in Baibuting community. "Now almost every neighborhood committee holds reading activities every month."

Baibuting has earned several national awards for community management and cultural work. All nine of its neighborhood committees are running reading activities this week.

On April 23, residents and local school students gathered in the community for a shared reading event.

"The community reading space provided booklists and a venue for this activity," Pang said.

Last year, CPG and two other organizations donated 150,000 yuan ($20,700) worth of books to the community’s reading room.

"Each of the nine committees chose 100 new books and 100 used books," Pang said. "Residents in every part of the community can access the books."

Baibuting is home to one high school, one middle school and four primary schools. On March 21, students and parents gathered for a "reading therapy" session combining educational discussions with a community reading space.

"The reading room and the book donation have created a better learning environment for children," Pang said.

"Now we have the right atmosphere to run reading activities," she added. "With the new books, the age range of our readers has widened, and they come more often."

Hu Zhitang, a retired resident and vice chair of the community's calligraphy association, said the library subscribes to two magazines per association member. The group also holds regular reading gatherings.

"The donated books have enriched our collection, broadened our knowledge and deepened our spirit," Hu said. "The selection is comprehensive and meets the needs of community residents."

China put its first administrative regulation on nationwide reading into effect in February 2026, and Baibuting has since added reading promotion to its official work plan.

"We will encourage more families to engage in reading," Pang said. "This year we aim to hold regular reading activities inside at least three residential buildings and set up more reading spots inside building common areas."

CPG has helped establish more than 100 community reading spaces across China, and through its online "Xinhua National Reading Space" platform, built a long-term mechanism for the co-development of reading resources, the sharing of activity resources and the collaborative governance of cultural venues.