"Universal reading cannot be realized without bookstores. They promote quality content, organize reading activities and offer reading-related service," says Ai Limin, chairman of the Books and Periodicals Distribution Association of China.

"We are sure that, during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), the government will continue to support the development of physical bookstores with favorable policies and funds. But bookstores also need to weigh the situation, adopt an innovative commercial approach, find a way out of their respective dilemmas and develop in a quality way," he adds.

Awards covering the most beautiful bookstores, campus bookstores and community bookstores of the year were announced. A special award to honor bookstores which showed outstanding achievement in the face of the pandemic was bestowed upon a number of outlets, including Crystal Palace Arts Bookstore, Jiuwu Culture City and Zhanqiao Bookstore.

Beijing became the fourth "capital of bookstores" in 2020, following Chengdu, Xi'an and Shenzhen. The title recognizes its front-runner status in the number of bookstores, reading rates and policy support. Beijing had 1,994 physical bookstores in 2020, among which 639 were established in 2020.