Chinese Premier urges people to read more

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L) chats with Internet surfers on two state news portals in Beijing, China, Feb. 27, 2010. (Xinhua/Ma Zhangcheng)
Live : Premier Wen gives online interview

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao called on the public to spend more time on reading during an online chat Saturday.

Wen said reading matters much to the quality and prosperity of a nation.

"A nation which is not interested in reading is with no future," he said.

A survey conducted by the Chinese Institute of Publishing Science last April showed that 61.2 percent Chinese were not satisfied with their reading conditions, and 65.1 percent respondents said they read few books.

Wen once said he hoped young people can read books on subway. "Now some young people have really started to do this," he said.

Wen made the remarks in an online talk with Internet users at two portals, www.gov.cn and www. xinhuanet.com.

Source: Xinhua