As artificial intelligence reshapes content creation and digital platforms dominate leisure time, three of China's most celebrated literary voices reaffirmed the enduring value of books during this year's World Book and Copyright Day celebrations. Novelists Mai Jia, Zhao Lihong, and Zijin Chen shared profound insights with CGTN about literature's unique role in preserving human connection in our technological age.
Mai Jia, known for his espionage thrillers, emphasized literature's power to confront human limitations: "A book forces us to sit with complexity. Unlike algorithm-driven content, real literature doesn't flatter – it challenges us to grow."
Poet Zhao Lihong highlighted the irreplaceable human element: "Every authentic voice carries the weight of lived experience. Digital platforms might amplify noise, but books preserve whispers of truth that echo across generations."
Crime fiction author Zijin Chen addressed modern anxieties: "In our age of uncertainty, novels provide psychological anchors. The stories that stay with us become mental maps for navigating life's storms."
Their collective message underscores literature's continued relevance in 2026 – not as nostalgic artifacts, but as vital tools for maintaining emotional depth, critical thinking, and cultural continuity in an increasingly automated world.
