The city of Beijing kicked off its 14th annual "reading season" on Monday, with a diverse range of activities planned throughout the summer to reignite residents' passion for reading.
At the Baoguo Temple Old Book Market in a central and historic area of the city, more than 200 booths are presenting tens of thousands of antique and secondhand books.
A special area of the market allows visitors to swap their used books, helping foster a culture of sustainability among readers of all ages.
"It would be a waste if you threw away all the books you don't need anymore. Those books are useless for you, but there are people who want to read them. I think it [the secondhand book market] is nice," said a little girl named Han Linshuo.
"It's a rare opportunity. These are my old collection of books, some from over a decade ago, some from 20 years ago and some 30 years. I take them out and search for books that are more attractive to me now," said a seller surnamed Wei.
The municipal authorities are working with publishing institutions and online platforms to organize various forms of activities including themed reading events, a teenager reading festival, an online reading initiative and community reading booths to provide easy accessibility and enjoyable experiences for more citizens.
"We have arranged thematic reading activities throughout the year, highlighting the role of leadership and joining of forces to promote a love for reading and culture among the public," said Hu Fang, deputy director of the Publicity and Publishing Department of Beijing Municipal Party Committee.
Beijing launches annual "reading season" to spark summer page turning
The year 2024 celebrates the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic ties, and it also heralds the China-France Year of Cultural Tourism, a celebration aimed at bolstering cultural and people-to-people exchanges through a series of enriching events.
During a special episode focused on this milestone, cultural experts and influencers from both nations shared insights into the depth of Sino-French cultural interactions.
The discussion, livestreamed from Shanghai on April 22, began with a historical overview, notably when then-Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai introduced President Georges Pompidou to the Yungang Grottoes, a renowned Buddhist cave site in north China's Shanxi. These caves feature intricate carvings that reflect religious and cultural syntheses from the 5th and 6th centuries.
David Gosset, founder of the China-Europe-America Global Initiative, commented on the geopolitical context of the initial outreach.
"People have to remember that we were in the middle of the Cold War, therefore, the world was divided. For a Western country like France to reach out to China, and of course vice versa, it's a beautiful moment, historical diplomatic breakthroughs, means that despite all the geopolitical difficulties, a spirit of cooperation and friendship can prevail," said Gosset.
Xie Dingwei, executive director of the Bund One Art Museum, emphasized the importance of preserving cultural heritage.
"We need to preserve these cultural heritages. We not [just] preserve the sculptures or the buildings itself, but also, it gives us a chance to see hundreds of years ago, how our craftsmanship, our architecture, our human beings, we have reached [such] high levels, which brings us to the present time these treasures, these values. This is something we really cannot afford to lose. Culture is a common language; it doesn't matter you're Eastern art or Western art, somehow they can be connected. So this is something I think it creates a communication channel between the nations," said Xie.
The cultural connection was recently demonstrated during a meeting last April between French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where they enjoyed the performance of "Flowing Water" played on the Guqin by a Chinese artist, symbolizing the flowing friendship between the two nations.
"This communication on art subjects between the nations and different peoples are really, really important. It goes beyond politics, beyond the differences between the nations. But you all go to getting closer to understanding each other," said Xie.
Gosset also supported the notion of fostering unity through cultural platforms, aligning with President Xi Jinping's idea of building a community with a shared future.
"I am completely aligned with this idea. We are on the same boat. Our world is frightened by too many divisions. And I think, what is important is to support the forces that can unite us, so it can be music, and certainly museums, and you need leaders with a vision that does not separate us," said Gosset.
Six decades of China-France diplomatic relations highlighted by cultural exchange
