Legal push for reading
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E-mail ChinAfrica, October 22, 2013
To encourage people to read, more measurements should be taken besides the legislation. Otherwise, the law is merely a dead letter.
Pro
Wang Yong, College student
As more and more Chinese abandon the habit of reading, I think it is necessary to promote it through legislation.
To individuals, the law is mainly a call and stimulation to help them understand that reading is conducive to personal growth. With the call, the public will voluntarily pick up reading as a habit, even a hobby.
For the government, schools and other public institutions, the law will force them to perform respective obligations in creating a conducive environment for reading, like offering more funds and supporting the publishing market.
Pro
Duan Siping, Media commentator
People who questioned this legislation mistakenly regard it as a binding regulation. But actually, it only aims at boosting the reading culture. As stimulative legislation, it focuses more on the government’s responsibility on guaranteeing people’s right to read. As is stated in the proposed law, the government should offer more funds to construct public libraries and provide more qualified books to the public to create a sound reading culture.
The legislation is not restricting personal choice but defining and highlighting the government’s responsibility. It will not deprive people’s freedom to choose what books to read, or force anyone to read.
Con
Zhang He, People’s Daily
Although the law mainly defines the government’s responsibility and obligation in constructing more libraries and offering more funds, and doesn’t force citizens to read, I doubt it will be an effective practice.
The habit of reading should be formed from childhood, when school education is the most effective way to do so. However, the current exam-oriented education system reigns in China. Teachers and parents don’t allow children to read extra-curricular books, afraid they’ll lose focus on core study subjects. This destroys their desire and curiosity for reading. The planned legislation might not be so effective unless it can change this situation. But no sign of change can be found in the regulation according to reports.
The low reading rate of the Chinese people can be blamed on many reasons, and a lack of government support is not the primary one. In fact, local governments have been increasing investment and improving public facilities to encourage people to read. But many libraries simply lack visitors. Personally, I once witnessed boxes of donated books lying on the floor in a modern cultural center while the reading room was completely empty.
All in all, reading is a personal habit. If it is listed at the bottom of people’s agenda, their appetite for reading will never be aroused no matter how hard the government tries to promote it. So do not place too much hope in this legislation. Many more measurements are needed to promote the habit of reading among the public. Legislation alone is not enough.
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