Xiangxi Tujia and Miao autonomous prefecture in Central China's Hunan province kicked off a summer reading and writing camp for students from primary and secondary schools on July 6.

The event gathered 300 young literature enthusiasts from grades three to eight across the prefecture to embark on a five-day reading and writing journey in Biancheng town, a place renowned writer Shen Congwen described in his novel "Bian Cheng (Border Town)".

Xiangxi Tujia and Miao autonomous prefecture in Central China's Hunan province kicks off a summer reading and writing camp for students from primary and secondary schools on July 6. [Photo/WeChat account: xxjtzc]

This summer camp was an extension of Xiangxi's reading program in schools and a practical classroom for integrating reading and writing. Throughout the five days, professional instructors delivered engaging sessions on reading skills, using vivid examples and interactive activities to guide children in deep thinking during reading and improving memory by capturing key information.

The camp also included reading and writing exercises, local cultural exploration, and writing exchanges, providing a comprehensive reading and writing experience for the children.

Since the beginning of this year, Xiangxi has launched an initiative to enhance reading, advancing the third round of the three-year reading program in schools. This involves establishing a three-tier reading system across the prefecture, counties and schools, institutionalizing reading courses, and integrating them into primary and secondary school curricula.

The program mandates at least one reading class per week and a minimum of 15 minutes of daily reading. This initiative fosters a pervasive reading culture, promoting urban-rural school partnerships to build "reading communities".