[Photo/Xinhua]

New media also contributed to the growth, with major outlets such as Yitiao opening brick-and-mortar bookstores last year.

According to the paper, the revitalization of bookstores in China was largely due to favorable policies unveiled in recent years.

After a national guideline on supporting the bookstore industry was issued in 2016, 28 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities also released policies to boost the industry.

For instance, 50 million yuan of subsidies have been given to 151 bookstores in Beijing since the release of the local guidelines in July, the paper reported.