Zhao Jinyun, a member of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), stressed the significance of creating a good atmosphere for reading across the whole society on Wednesday at the third Members' Corridor of this year's Two Sessions.

Zhao is the general manager of the popular magazine Readers, of which the circulation has maintained the first place in Asia for 20 consecutive years. The magazine publisher was among the Chinese political advisors who met the press and took questions at the third Members' Corridor, which has gone virtual due to the novel coronavirus pandemic this year.

"In the era of new media, we are surrounded by many scattering information, so it is very difficult to concentrate on reading one magazine," said Zhao, adding that the average reading amount of Chinese people is 7.5 books.

Zhao pointed out that it is important for everyone to keep reading even in their busy lives and to develop good reading habits, especially in children.

Noting that until six years old is the best time for children to develop reading habits, Zhao pointed out that at this stage, parents are the first teachers and they can't be absent. 

She suggested parents should spend less time swiping their smartphones and more time reading with their children.

The CPPCC member also stressed that parents should encourage their children to do more extracurricular reading, which could not only improve their multiple abilities, such as logical thinking, faculty of understanding, creativity, and imagination but also boost the efficiency of learning.

"In the age of the internet, there are endless messages and countless likes online," said Zhao, adding that people should slow down their paces and put down the phones.

"Read books for half an hour every day, and let books open a lifetime of wisdom," she suggested.

(Cover: Zhao Jinyun, a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), met the press and took questions at the third Members' Corridor of this year's Two Sessions, May 27, 2020, Beijing, China. /VCG)