China's comprehensive reading rate was 76.3 percent in 2012, 1.3 percentage points lower than in 2011, according to a report published by the Chinese Academy of Press and Publication on April 18.

Chinese reading rate 2008-2012

Book reading rate among Chinese between 18 and 70 was 54.9 percent in 2012, 1 percentage point higher than in 2011. Digital reading rate (online, mobile phone, e-book) was 40.3 percent, 1.7 percentage points higher than in 2011.

But due to the fall in newspaper reading rate, the comprehensive reading rate fell from 77.6 percent to 76.3 percent.

Chinese read 4.39 books on average in 2012, compared with 4.35 in 2011. That is far behind some countries.

Koreans read 11 books on average in 2011, French 8.4, Japanese about 8.4, the US citizens 7, according to the 2011 International Publishing Blue Book.

The 10 most popular writers by Chinese readers in 2012 were: Mo Yan, Jin Yong (Louis Cha), Lu Xun, Han Han, Chiung Yao, Lao She, Guo Jingming, Cao Xueqin, Ba Jin and Bing Xin.

The 10 most read books by Chinese readers in 2012 were: The Dream of Red Chamber, Romance of Three Kingdoms, Outlaws of the Marsh, Journey to the West, Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, Red Sorghum Clan, Frog, Fortress Besieged, How the Steel Was Tempered, and Big Breasts & Wide Hips.

A man reads in a park in Shanghai on March 28, 2013. [Photo/CFP]