Reading is an important skill and it must be supported by the government through libraries and by creating a proper environment for reading, both in terms of software and hardware. But this should not include making reading a compulsory activity, said an article in the 21st Century Business Herald (excerpts below).

Some lawmakers plan a regulation to encourage the reading of books and are even considering making it compulsory.

But it would be more practical for the government to build more libraries.

The government should also reform the publishing industry through market competition. Then people will have more good books to read.

Electronic or digital reading equipment provides the government with another approach to promote reading. The government should promote the coverage of the Internet in the poor areas and bridge the digital gap.