Recounting a chapter in story of Chinese bookstores

Uchiyama Books in Tokyo. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Despite their iconic status, these bookstores have been facing a common problem in recent years.

They are no more the only lens for Westerners to view China.

Tang says: "Universities and libraries from China and the UK now have direct channels for communication. Maybe they don't need us as a medium.

"However, the problem is a reflection of a good relationship between the two countries," says Tang, who transferred Guanghwa to China International Publishing Group in 2007.

Similarly, CIPG took over Phoenix Bookstore from Meyer in 2014.

Meyer says: "Even though our bookstore was sold, I believe that the new owner understands our independent spirit: No matter who runs it, the store should be a platform open to all voices."

And there is another problem too, one encountered by other bookstores.

According to Sun Minhua, who manages China Books today, online bookstores have also made their lives difficult.

"Americans still want to know about China through books because what they watch on the news can be misleading. That's why we have to go on. But it's really tough to develop a new model to attract a new generation of readers to our bookstore," says Sun.

Nevertheless, Noyes, who retired in 2002, has a different view

"A bookstore is important, but the form is changing. China Books should remain because of its special role. But at a certain point it could disappear when everything people read about China is online. This is a transition which may or may not happen but it will at least be part of our history."