社论丨阅读，连接知识、文化与发展的桥梁

Regardless of whether it is via digital screens or printed pages, the act of reading remains a timeless and universal pursuit that has the ability to expand horizons, deepen understanding of the world, and foster empathy and compassion.无论是通过数字屏幕还是纸质书页，阅读这一行为始终是一项永恒而普遍的追求，它能够开阔视野、加深对世界的理解，并培养同理心与同情心。In China, the government promotes reading as a means to build a more educated, innovative and morally cultivated society. To facilitate the act of reading, a government regulation on promoting nationwide reading, which took effect in February, sets out measures to improve reading facilities and services, reinforcing mechanisms to support reading initiatives.在中国，政府倡导阅读，并将阅读作为建设一个更具文化素养、创新精神和道德修养的社会的手段。为促进全民阅读，一项旨在推动全民阅读的政府法规于今年2月生效。该法规提出了改善阅读设施与服务的措施，并强化了支持阅读活动的机制。The designation of the fourth week of April as National Reading Week further underscores the government's commitment to fostering a culture of reading. During this week, events such as lectures, bookfairs, salons and book donations are being held across the country, encouraging people to engage with books and share the joy of reading.将4月的第四周定为“全民阅读周”，进一步彰显了政府培育阅读文化的决心。在这一周内，全国各地正在举办讲座、书展、读书沙龙和图书捐赠等活动，鼓励人们接触书籍、分享阅读的快乐。In an era dominated by digital screens and byte-sized information, the act of reading books stands as a testament to humanity's enduring quest for knowledge and understanding. Reading is more than a mere intellectual exercise; it is a gateway to new ideas, a bridge between cultures, and a tool for personal and societal development.在一个被数字屏幕和碎片化信息主导的时代，读书行为本身见证了人类对知识与理解的不懈追求。阅读不仅是一种智力活动；它更是通往新思想的大门、连接不同文化的桥梁，以及个人发展与社会进步的工具。The digital revolution has transformed the way we consume information, and reading is no exception. In China, 80.8 percent of adults now engage in digital reading through formats such as e-books, online literature, audiobooks and video-based summaries. This has made reading more accessible and convenient, attracting individuals who might not have the time or inclination to read physical books.数字革命改变了我们获取信息的方式，阅读也不例外。在中国，目前有80.8%的成年国民通过电子书、网络文学、有声书和视频讲书等形式进行数字化阅读。这使得阅读更加便捷、可及，吸引了许多可能没有时间或意愿阅读纸质书籍的人。Data from the fifth National Conference on Reading in China highlights a promising trend: the rapid growth of digital reading is fostering adult reading rates, which reached 82.3 percent last year, with the average number of books read per person per year climbing to 8.39.第五届全民阅读大会的数据揭示了一个令人振奋的趋势：数字化阅读的快速增长正推动成年国民阅读率提升。去年，这一比率达到82.3%，人均年阅读图书数量也攀升至8.39本。The growth of digital reading is reflected in the numbers: by the end of 2025, China's digital reading user base reached 689 million, up 2.95 percent from the previous year, while the total number of digital reading works exceeded 70 million. The market size of digital reading has nearly doubled over the past five years, growing to 59.48 billion yuan ($8.67 billion) from 30.25 billion yuan, indicating strong growth in both supply and demand. This surge is partly due to the evolution of online literature into the broader cultural industry, with content extending into offline experiences and interactive formats.数字化阅读的增长体现在具体数据中：截至2025年底，中国数字阅读用户规模达到6.89亿，较上年增长2.95%，同时数字阅读作品总量超过7000万部。过去五年，数字阅读市场规模几乎翻了一番，从302.5亿元增长至594.8亿元（约合86.7亿美元），表明供需两端均呈现强劲增长。这一迅猛增长部分源于网络文学向更广泛的文化产业的演进，其内容正延伸至线下体验和互动形式。President Xi Jinping has consistently emphasized the importance of reading as a cornerstone of personal and intellectual development.习近平主席一再强调，阅读是个人成长与智力发展的基石。Reading can spark intellectual insight, instill lofty ideals, and nurture a sense of moral integrity, according to an article by Xi on promoting nationwide reading and building a book-loving society. The article, published on Thursday in this year's eighth issue of the Qiushi Journal, provides excerpts of Xi's discourses on reading from March 2013 to March 2025.他在一篇关于推动全民阅读、建设书香社会的文章中指出，阅读可以启发智慧、树立高尚理想、培养道德情操。该文章发表于周四出版的今年第8期《求是》杂志，摘录了习近平自2013年3月至2025年3月期间关于阅读的一系列重要论述。The article says people should read widely and choose good books, drawing wisdom and nourishment from them. It adds that work pressures should not be used as an excuse to neglect learning, nor should learning be reduced to a mere formality just for show.文章指出，人们应当博览群书、读好书，从中汲取智慧和养分。并补充道，不应以工作压力为借口而忽视学习，也不应让学习流于形式。The article also stresses that it is necessary to build a learning society where all people engage in lifelong learning, adding that Party members and officials should take the lead in reading and learning.文章还强调，有必要建设一个全民参与终身学习的学习型社会，并指出党员干部应当在阅读学习中发挥表率作用。文章提出，应将数字阅读与传统阅读相结合。Digital reading should be combined with traditional reading, the article says.Despite the rise of digital formats, there is something irreplaceable about holding a physical book, turning its pages, and experiencing the tactile joy of reading. And rather than quick consumption of digital information, printed books offer a unique opportunity for in-depth reading, a practice that is essential for personal growth, career success and moral cultivation.尽管数字阅读日益兴起，但手捧纸质书、翻动书页、体验那种触觉带来的阅读喜悦，依然是不可替代的。相较于对数字信息的碎片化快餐式消费，纸质书为深度阅读提供了契机，而这种阅读实践对于个人成长、职业成功和道德修养至关重要。Recent surveys show that 45.9 percent of adults still prefer reading printed books, especially literary works, indicating a continued demand for immersive reading that allows individuals to engage fully with ideas, reflect on their meaning and apply them to their own lives.近期调查显示，45.9%的成年人仍偏好阅读纸质书，尤其是文学作品。这表明人们对沉浸式阅读有着持续需求，这种方式能让人全身心投入思想，反思其内涵并付诸实践。And as we look to a future increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence, reading takes on renewed importance as a touchstone to keep people grounded in the tangibilities of the world.展望未来，在人工智能影响愈发深刻之际，阅读作为一种“试金石”，其意义愈发彰显：阅读让人们在真实、具象的世界中保持脚踏实地。mechanism /ˈmekənɪzəm/机制initiative /ɪˈnɪʃətɪv/倡议，活动designation /ˌdezɪɡˈneɪʃən/指定，命名underscore /ˌʌndəˈskɔː/强调，彰显byte-sized /baɪt saɪzd/碎片化的cornerstone: /ˈkɔːnəstəʊn/基石touchstone: /ˈtʌtʃstəʊn/试金石