Chengdu, a city known for its rich cultural heritage, has announced a significant investment of 15 million yuan ($2 million) to revitalize and support its bookstore businesses. This initiative, part of the city government’s effort to cultivate a robust reading culture, was announced at a recent book promotion event.
The investment plan, titled “Management Measures for Supporting Funds for Physical Bookstores,” focuses primarily on the high-tech industrial development zone (high-tech zone) in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. The goal is to create an environment conducive to reading and to further the development of a “bookish high-tech zone.”
Under this plan, the government will allocate 5 million yuan ($700,000) to enhance and strengthen physical bookstores within the high-tech zone. This funding will cover various aspects, including subsidies for establishing new bookstores, innovative operations, renovation upgrades, creating urban reading and artistic spaces, organizing reading promotion activities, and providing rent subsidies.
In addition to direct funding, the city plans to distribute 10 million yuan in physical bookstore vouchers throughout 2024. This initiative is complemented by the introduction of 69 “TOP10 Book Houses” in the area. These book houses will offer a 24-hour free reading platform featuring the top ten best-selling books, providing the public with convenient access to a rich cultural experience.
The bookstore voucher activity is set to begin on New Year’s Day in 2024, with thirteen licensed and certified physical bookstores in the high-tech zone participating. These bookstores will offer a range of products and services, including books, cultural and creative products, and dining options.
Chengdu’s commitment to promoting a reading culture is evident in its more than 3,600 physical bookstores, the highest number in the country. The city has become synonymous with the term “Bookish Chengdu,” reflecting its vibrant nationwide reading atmosphere.
The high-tech zone itself is home to two national “most beautiful bookstores,” eight Chengdu “most beautiful bookstores,” and nine “bookish communities.” The newly operational Chengdu High-tech Zone Library has already attracted nearly a million visitors since its opening in June 2023.
The demographic profile of the Chengdu high-tech zone, predominantly young and highly educated, provides an ideal foundation for nurturing a reading culture. With over 75 percent of its permanent population aged between 15 and 59 and a high number of college-educated residents, the zone is fertile ground for such cultural initiatives.
The Chengdu high-tech zone management sees this investment as an opportunity to enrich cultural services and create a strong community atmosphere centered around books and reading. This comprehensive approach to promoting literacy and cultural engagement showcases Chengdu’s dedication to enriching the lives of its citizens through the power of reading.
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