As part of efforts to promote reading among the public and advance the building of a book-loving society, China's 2026 "National Reading Week" was launched on Monday at the 5th National Conference on Reading in Nanchang, East China's Jiangxi province.

Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, attended the conference's opening and announced the launch of the event.

Participants stressed the need to promote nationwide reading and further advance the building of a book-loving society, so as to draw stronger spiritual strength for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Noting that reading is the most basic form of cultural development, they said greater efforts should be made to give full play to the important role of nationwide reading in building China into a leading country in culture and in stimulating the cultural creativity of the whole nation.

They called for efforts to carry out nationwide reading activities in a sustained and in-depth way, foster the "Book-loving China" brand, and improve the development and management of reading facilities.

Themed "Promoting Nationwide Reading Together and Building a Book-loving Society Together", the weeklong event, running from Monday to Saturday, features a series of activities, including the conference.