A CONSENSUS between Shenzhen and Hong Kong for more cooperation in promoting reading was announced at a ceremony to kick off the 24th Shenzhen Reading Month at the Shenzhen Book City CBD Store in Futian District on Saturday.

According to the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Twin Cities Reading Consensus, the two cities, connected by geography and with shared cultural heritage, possess natural foundations and advantages for enhancing communication in the field of public reading. Through a series of reading-themed activities, Shenzhen and Hong Kong aim to enhance exchanges on the two cities’ history and culture, further promote reading as a habit, and jointly contribute to a more culturally prosperous Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

An array of activities echoing this initiative, including a poster exhibition, a book market featuring publications by Hong Kong publishing houses, forums, emerging writers and designers sharing sessions, and ancient poetry readings by teenagers from both cities will be held during the monthlong event.

Feng Shixin, director of the Publishing Bureau under the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, commended in a message read out at the ceremony that Shenzhen is a vibrant and book-loving city, and has been at the forefront of building a “bookish society,” setting an example over the past 20 years and consistently innovating. The city, through Shenzhen Reading Month, has actively expanded its public reading spaces and enriched urban reading resources.

Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong, said at the ceremony that Shenzhen’s reading culture has left a deep impression on him. He believes that Shenzhen Reading Month is worth learning from for Hong Kong, and holding various activities will allow people from both cities to have more frequent exchanges. He hoped that Shenzhen residents can also learn more about Hong Kong’s culture through books and meetings.

Also at the ceremony, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Reading Map was unveiled.

Aiming to emphasize the importance of reading books to comprehend history, grasp the present, and create the future, this year’s Shenzhen Reading Month will feature over 2,000 activities, including the fifth Shenzhen Book Fair. Subvenues are set up across the city.                          (SD News)