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More Chinese reading online, but fewer willing to pay

Readers prefer a book in hand

Printed books are favored by readers, with more people choosing to pick up a real book than read a digital copy, a recent survey has found.

The poll found that more people prefer to read printed than digital books compared to last year.

Shanghai Press and Publication Bureau conducted the annual survey on reading habits to determine people's interests, consumption and trends in reading.

The survey, now in its fourth year, found that more than 44.6 percent of respondents prefer printed books, while 33 percent favor e-books.

About 70 percent of respondents believe printed books are a quicker and more effective way to read, while only 28.65 percent say the same about e-books.

The survey showed that people are willing to spend more on printed books this year than they were in 2013.

Mobile phones are the top choice as a medium for digital reading, continuing a trend seen over the last three years.

E-book readers enjoy a wider range of sources and greater convenience in obtaining and searching for books.

E-books are also cheaper and sometimes free. However, e-book users encounter problems of their own, such as an information overload and difficulty in selecting what to read. About 23 percent of respondents say they suffer from visual fatigue.

Nearly 60 percent of respondents only read free digital works, while about 15 percent are only willing to spend up to 20 yuan on e-books.