Citizens select books at a book store on World Book Day in Dingzhou City, north China's Hebei Province, April 23 (XINHUA) 

On the convening of the First National Conference on Reading, I would like to extend my warm congratulations. 

Reading is an important avenue for humans to acquire knowledge, expand wisdom and cultivate virtues. It enlightens us and helps us aim high and stand upright. Since ancient times, the Chinese people have advocated reading and stressed the acquisition of knowledge through studying the nature of things and rectification of mind through thinking with sincerity. Reading helps the Chinese people to carry on the traditional spirit of perseverance and shape their character of self-confidence and self-reliance. 

I call on Party members and officials to take the lead in reading and learning, foster virtues and ideals and improve abilities. I hope that all our children will have a habit of reading, enjoy reading and grow up in a healthy way. I wish all of our people are engaged in reading and contribute to an atmosphere where everyone love reading, have good books to read and know how to gain from reading.  

                                                Xi Jinping 

                                                April 23, 2022