I get asked this question a lot. My response is, reading and writing Chinese should be treated as a pleasure, not a burden. If that is not the case for you, my advice is to persist. Find the types of writing that you like. Think of it like finding your favorite type of food. At first, you might not enjoy everything you taste, and some dishes might seem unappealing or bland. But if you keep trying different cuisines and flavors, you’ll eventually discover something that delights your palate. Similarly, with persistence, you’ll uncover genres, authors, and writing styles that resonate with you.

I received this advice from a Chinese friend, Alice, when I had reached an intermediate level of Chinese. Just when I thought “This is too difficult,” her words showed me that achieving great things does not come easy. It requires persistence and the ability to think creatively. Just as the Chinese idiom teaches us “????”, even the smallest efforts, made consistently, can lead to significant accomplishments over time.

Statistics show that students who actively engage with materials they enjoy are more likely to retain information. Moreover, they also develop a deeper understanding. Therefore, finding the genres, authors, and writing styles that resonate with you is crucial. This approach can transform reading and writing from a task into a pleasure.

Resources for reading Chinese

Throughout my journey of learning Chinese, I am often asked questions about how to improve in writing. Firstly, I wish to emphasise that I am a strong proponent of following a systematic learning system when acquiring Chinese characters in the early phases of learning. If you are wondering what resources my university used when teaching Mandarin, you can find the textbook here below.

New Practical Chinese Reader vol.1 – Textbook: Amazon.co.uk: Xun, Liu: 9787561942772: Books (“New Chinese Reader“).

I found the New Chinese Reader especially useful It lays a strong foundation for reading, writing, and listening, with engaging content and a well-structured design.

Once you get to an intermediate stage of learning Chinese, you will be ready to engage in reading real-life texts. Online, you can find easy-to-access resources such as online articles and e-books. I hope that you will find the below references useful and I will add to them as time goes on.

1. Business, finance, technology, politics

My “go-to” resource is ????? (https://wallstreetcn.com/) given its focus on covering a wide range of interesting news stories. Its content usually relates to finance, technology, and politics. This is not to be confused with the Chinese version of Wall Street Journal (https://cn.wsj.com/) which is also a useful resource, but I prefer the former.

????? offers a comprehensive overview of the latest trends and developments in various industries. It is an invaluable tool for anyone looking to improve their Chinese reading skills while staying informed about global events. The articles are well-written and insightful, providing readers with a deep understanding of complex subjects. This resource stands out because it balances depth and accessibility, making challenging topics understandable without oversimplifying them.

One of the key benefits of using ????? is that it helps you become familiar with the vocabulary and expressions commonly used in professional and technical contexts. This is particularly useful for language learners aiming to work in fields like finance, technology, or international relations. By regularly reading articles on these topics, you can build a specialised vocabulary.

Additionally, ????? provides a cultural perspective that is often missing from English-language media. Understanding the nuances of Chinese culture and how it influences business and politics is crucial for anyone looking to engage with China on a professional level. This resource allows you to see the world through a Chinese lens, enriching your understanding of global affairs.

2. General information / public opinion

Zhihu (?? – ?? (zhihu.com)) is a highly useful resource for anyone looking to improve their Chinese reading skills. Analogous to Quora, Zhihu is a platform for users to ask questions and provide answers. Zhihu covers virtually every topic imaginable, from finance and technology to lifestyle and philosophy. This diversity makes it easy to find articles that match your interests and language learning needs. While the quality of content can vary, focus on articles that have received a high number of likes to ensure that you are reading well-regarded content.