The 2nd Global Times 'My Reading Life' book-sharing event is held on April 20, 2024. Photos: Global Times

To mark the 29th World Book Day on April 23, the Global Times hosted "Spring Reading," the second "My Reading Life" book-sharing event as well as the celebration of the 15th anniversary of the Global Times English Edition at the Cultural Center of Longfu Building in Beijing on Saturday. 

Renowned authors, cultural figures and outstanding student representatives from Beijing's secondary schools shared their reading experiences. They jointly launched 10 reading initiatives amid the brisk national reading scene.

Fan Zhengwei, the Global Times Party secretary, president, and editor-in-chief, gives a speech.

Fan Zhengwei, the Global Times Party secretary, president, and editor-in-chief, told participants that reading cultivates a civilized society, strengthens a nation, and helps individuals find their spiritual foundation. 

"To cultivate and solidify this foundation, it must start from adolescence. This is why the Global Times English Edition holds the 'My Reading Life' student essay contest," Fan noted.

"As a mainstream media outlet, the Global Times bears an undeniable responsibility in promoting reading nationwide. Only by continuously deepening our reading and learning, nurturing the cultural soil and accumulating academic knowledge, can we enhance cultural confidence. This will enable a media outlet to better tell China's stories with confidence and excellence," he said.

"The Global Times will continue to uphold our media responsibility, support nationwide reading initiatives, nurture cultural roots, promote mutual learning and exchange of civilizations, and showcase the charm of Chinese culture to the world," Fan said. 

Chen Pingyuan, Boya chair professor at Peking University and researcher at the China Central Institute for Culture and History, gives a speech.

 

Wu Weishan, vice secretary-general of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, vice chairman of the Central Committee of China Democratic League and the director of the National Art Museum of China, gives a speech.

 

Huang Shuyuan, vice chairman of the Taofen Foundation and former president of the People's Publishing House, gives a speech.

 

Li Fang, deputy editor-in-chief of the People's Daily Overseas Edition and winner of the Lu Xun Literature Prize, gives a speech.

 

Zhu Yuanyuan, a national first-class actress at the National Theatre of China, gives a speech.

Chen Pingyuan, Boya chair professor at Peking University and researcher at the China Central Institute for Culture and History, Wu Weishan, vice secretary-general of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, vice chairman of the Central Committee of China Democratic League and director of the National Art Museum of China, Huang Shuyuan, vice chairman of the Taofen Foundation and former president of the People's Publishing House, Li Fang, deputy editor-in-chief of the People's Daily Overseas Edition and winner of the Lu Xun Literature Prize, and Zhu Yuanyuan, a national first-class actress at the National Theatre of China, shared their reading stories with the audience, among other speakers. 

Shahbaz Khan, Director of UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office for East Asia, also sent a congratulatory video.

The Global Times announced 10 reading initiatives for 2024, namely focused reading, daily reading, deep reading, classic reading, themed reading, interdisciplinary reading, green reading, parent-child reading, shared reading and practical reading.

 

Guest speakers share their reading experiences at the event.

The event was inspired by the "My Reading Life" essay contest that the Global Times English Edition launched in early 2023 to encourage middle school students to write about and share their reading experiences. It has received an enthusiastic response and established a platform for knowledge sharing and cultural exchange. Last September, the Global Times hosted the inaugural "My Reading Life" book sharing event and received a warm response.

Meanwhile, the Global Times English Edition celebrated its 15th anniversary on the day. Since its inception on April 20, 2009, the Global Times English Edition has been dedicated to telling China's stories to the world, serving as a window for the world to understand China. It presents a credible, endearing and respectable image of China to the world, narrating China's worldview while also shaping the world's perception of China.

Wu Weishan (left) takes a look at an exhibition of the 15th anniversary of the Global Times English Edition with Global Times Editor-in-Chief Fan Zhengwei (right).

 

Fan Zhengwei (center) introduces the exhibition of the 15th anniversary of the Global Times English Edition to the guests.

 

Fan Zhengwei (center) introduces the exhibition of the 15th anniversary of the Global Times English Edition to the guests.

 

Students receive their certificate for contributing to the Global Times at the event.

 

Visitors listen to the speech at the event.

The event is held at the Cultural Center of Longfu Building.

 

The event is held at the Cultural Center of Longfu Building.