A sample survey on Chinese reading habits found that more than 40 percent of respondents say they have no time to read books.

 

The survey found only 84.1 percent of those surveyed believed reading books has become more important, the lowest level since 1999.

 

In contrast to the declining number of people who read books, the survey found that the number of people reading on-line and those who like to read magazines has increased rapidly.

 

Over the past six years, the number of people reading on-line grew 40 percent.

 

Stories about swordsman are the most popular storyline of Chinese books.

 

The survey also showed that 60 percent of the respondents knew about the concept of intellectual property rights, but 20-30 percent of them could not tell the difference between fake products and real products.

 

The survey began in late 2005 and ended in February this year. It covered urban and rural citizens in 20 provinces and cities. More than 8,070 valid questionnaires were returned.

 

The survey, authorized by the State Press and Publication Administration and organized by China Scientific Research Institute of Publication, is conducted every two years.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 2, 2006)