Amid talk of their demise, bookshelves are back

Thanks to strong government policies and generous subsidies, physical book retail spaces are experiencing a revival despite competition from online vendors

Though they were once affect-ed by competition from online merchants, brick-and-mortar bookstores are making a comeback thanks to government support, according to Peng Weiguo, deputy director of Shanghai municipal administration of press and publication.

In 2012, Shanghai became the first city in China to introduce policies aimed at supporting and subsidizing physical bookshops. Two years later, the state administration of press and publication launched nationwide measures to help with the development of these businesses.