Core Viewpoint - Zhejiang Publishing Media Co., Ltd. (referred to as "Zhejiang Media") reported a mixed performance in the first half of 2025, with a revenue decline but a significant increase in net profit, indicating resilience in its operations despite market challenges [1][2]. Financial Performance - In the first half of 2025, Zhejiang Media achieved an operating income of 5.093 billion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 2.66% [1]. - The net profit attributable to shareholders was 676 million yuan, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 33.50% [1]. Business Development - The decline in revenue was primarily attributed to a sluggish growth in the overall book retail market, with online book sales experiencing a year-on-year decrease [1]. - Despite the drop in online sales, the company's educational materials business showed stable growth, contributing to an increase in total profit and net profit attributable to shareholders [1]. Tax and Operational Efficiency - The increase in net profit was significantly aided by a 25% tax burden optimization resulting from the restoration of cultural enterprise income tax policies [1]. - The company has focused on strengthening its publishing core business and optimizing its distribution service system to enhance operational efficiency [1]. Digital Transformation - Zhejiang Media is advancing its digital transformation by focusing on three main areas: developing a large model for the publishing industry, enhancing data connectivity across the entire production chain, and exploring AI+education integration [2][3]. - The company is collaborating with iFlytek to improve content production quality and efficiency through intelligent editing and review processes [2]. Publishing Ecosystem and Investment - The company is expanding its publishing qualifications and ecosystem, with new electronic and audio-visual publishing qualifications to promote cross-industry integration [3]. - Zhejiang Media is actively investing in the Zhejiang Digital Publishing Fund to strategically position itself in the "culture + technology" sector [3]. Future Outlook - The company plans to continue focusing on the entire industry chain of "editing, printing, distribution, and supply" while balancing the five elements of "books, stores, digital, chains, and people" [3]. - Future strategies include solidifying the core publishing business, enhancing cultural services, promoting nationwide reading, and driving digital empowerment to improve core competitiveness and create long-term value for shareholders [3].

Core Viewpoint - The conference "Diverse Coexistence and Collaborative Future" highlighted the transformation of the publishing industry through digital technology, emphasizing the need for a complete industry chain from e-reading to publishing and IP derivatives [1][2]. Digital Reading Market Growth - In 2024, China's digital reading user base is projected to reach 670 million, a year-on-year increase of 17.52% - The total number of digital reading works is approximately 63.07 million, growing by 6.28% - The digital reading market revenue is expected to reach 66.141 billion yuan, an increase of 16.65% [2]. Industry Challenges - The Chinese publishing industry faces dual pressures of technological and market transformation, with a critical need to connect quality content with internet channels and vast user bases [2]. - The association has facilitated connections between Tomato Novel and over 400 publishing institutions, with 380,000 e-books available [2]. User Engagement and Preferences - Over 10 million users read e-publications daily on the Tomato Novel platform, with a 70% year-on-year increase in daily active users consuming e-publications in 2024 [3]. - The top five categories of publications read include quality novels, literary classics, personal growth, inspirational content, and Chinese history, indicating a strong demand for engaging stories and cultural enrichment [3]. - Users from lower-tier cities are becoming significant contributors to digital reading consumption, with the highest growth rates observed in these areas [3]. Strategic Directions for Tomato Novel - The company aims to scale up the publication of original online literature in physical formats, focusing on popular genres like youth literature and realistic themes [4]. - It plans to enhance collaboration between authors and publishers to explore diverse promotional strategies for new releases [4]. - Tomato Novel will continue to introduce digital content and expand the audio book market, catering to various user scenarios [4]. Cultural Diversity and User Behavior - The rise of digital reading platforms has democratized access to cultural resources, with free platforms playing a crucial role in this shift [5]. - Readers are increasingly favoring books with coherent structures and logical flow, reflecting a trend towards "shallow" and "fragmented" reading habits [5]. - The popularity of IP-driven content is growing, particularly among younger audiences, indicating a shift in industry focus [5]. Addressing Digital Divide and Information Isolation - Recommendations include collaborative efforts between academia and industry to tackle the digital divide and information isolation issues [6]. - There is a need to lower the operational barriers for elderly users, who represent a rapidly growing demographic in the reading market [6]. - To prevent the formation of information silos, it is suggested that algorithms incorporate cultural and interest diversity to enhance user experience [6].

Core Points - The 31st Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF) will be held from June 18 to 22 at the National Convention Center in Beijing, with a theme of "Promoting the Inheritance and Development of Civilization, and Promoting Mutual Learning and Win-Win Cooperation" [1] - The exhibition area has expanded to 60,000 square meters, attracting over 1,700 exhibitors from 80 countries and regions, showcasing 220,000 types of quality books from both domestic and international sources [1] Group 1: Exhibitors and Participation - This year, the book fair has added 9 new participating countries, including Chile, Cyprus, Belarus, Oman, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Kenya, Guatemala, and Jamaica [2] - Malaysia will serve as the guest of honor, with a dedicated exhibition area of approximately 500 square meters, featuring over 20 libraries, publishing institutions, and industry associations [2] - Major Chinese publishing groups such as China Publishing Group and China International Publishing Group will prominently participate, alongside exhibitors from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan [3] Group 2: Special Exhibitions and Themes - A special exhibition commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Anti-Japanese War will be featured, along with thematic areas for various genres including philosophy, social sciences, and children's literature [4] - The newly established "Internet Literature Special Exhibition Area" will showcase the diverse appeal and contemporary value of internet literature through various formats [4] - The BIBF Art Book Exhibition will cover 1,200 square meters, featuring significant exhibitions in collaboration with renowned publishers, including a David Hockney theme exhibition [6] Group 3: Activities and Engagement - The BIBF will host various activities such as "Illustration Night," author signing events, and workshops to engage audiences and promote cultural exchange [7] - The fair will also feature a pop-up Harry Potter exhibition, including a fully restored "Knight Bus" that will serve as a magical library [8] - The "World Writers Talk China" seminar will extend the BIBF's reach to universities, inviting renowned authors to foster cross-cultural understanding [8]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the articles emphasizes the transformative impact of generative artificial intelligence on the education publishing industry, highlighting the need for a deep integration of AI to navigate challenges and achieve sustainable development [1][2] - Key strategies for the education publishing sector include precise positioning, innovative learning scenarios, authentic content creation, and the development of new capabilities within teams [1] - The future of publishing is seen as a shift from "content co-creation" to "value co-existence," focusing on creating new demands and values in collaboration with ecosystem partners [1] Group 2 - The significance of digitalization in publishing is not merely about improving book quality or sales, but about forming new business models and fostering industry innovation [2] - A critical challenge in the publishing industry is the lack of professional technical teams, which hampers innovation and product development [2] - Enhancing the technical literacy of all employees is deemed essential for successful digital transformation and industry innovation [2]