China's National Reading Campaign: A Festival of Books Under a Shadow of Censorship

As the Hankyoreh's Beijing correspondent, we observe China's ambitious national reading campaign, officially launched with the "All-People Reading Promotion Regulation." This initiative, backed by government funding and emphasizing the importance of reading for national spirit and ideological alignment with Xi Jinping's thought, presents a seemingly positive cultural push. However, beneath the surface of this state-sponsored festival of books, a starkly different reality unfolds for independent voices.

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The scale of this event seems smaller than last year, but overall, it seems to have expanded across Beijing.

While the government promotes "wholesome and positive" content, a chilling effect is palpable for those who dare to explore more critical or nuanced topics. The recent closure of the feminist bookstore 'LingyigeShuWu' in Beijing serves as a poignant example. Its operator's lament, "Resistance comes at a price," echoes the growing vulnerability of independent spaces and the increasing number of "unspeakable" subjects. The need for courage in expression and the escalating costs of maintaining public forums highlight the precariousness of intellectual freedom in China today.

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Under the guidance of Xi Jinping's thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era, especially Xi Jinping's cultural thought, the national reading initiative is being promoted.

This situation is particularly concerning from a South Korean perspective, where freedom of expression is a cornerstone of our democracy. The Chinese authorities' emphasis on ideological conformity, even within a cultural initiative like a book fair, raises questions about the true extent of intellectual diversity. While international coverage might focus on the scale of the book fair, we, at the Hankyoreh, feel compelled to highlight the struggles of those pushing the boundaries of thought and expression, like the resilient individuals behind independent bookstores who continue their "subversive journeys" despite the risks.

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Resistance comes at a price.

We are reminded of those in China who persist in "unwholesome and subversive activities" amidst this officially sanctioned "festival of books." The spirit of individuals like the former operator of LingyigeShuWu, who, despite closing one chapter, is opening a new feminist bookstore in another city and an online store, embodies a quiet defiance. Their unwavering commitment to fostering connection through books and maintaining spaces for open dialogue, even through more discreet promotional methods, is a testament to their resilience. We hope their "subversive journeys" continue without end.

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Independent spaces are becoming increasingly vulnerable, and more and more topics are becoming 'unspeakable' subjects.