The role of reading during the epidemic in China
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Many across China show an increased interest in reading. A recent survey by China Youth Daily shows over 94 percent of respondents plan to read more books in 2020. Out of over 2,000 people, just over 93 percent had recently read, while 41 percent said they read more than three books last year. Meanwhile, a report on the Chinese book market published by JD.com found people bought more physical books from January to March, compared to the same period last year. Sales of books on Chinese calligraphy, agriculture and forestry rose. And sales of books on medicine and health increased by 20 percent in February and 48 percent in March. Books on psychology increased by 25 percent in March. Statistics from WeChat Reading, an e-reading app, showed that in February, people read an average of one more book than the previous month.