BEIJING — China’s book retail sales totaled 80.3 billion yuan ($12.3 billion) in 2017, up 14.55 percent year-on-year, said a report issued at the Beijing Book Fair, which opened on Jan 11.

Sales through online channels grew by 25.82 percent year-on-year, and brick-and-mortar book shops also saw sales increase by 2.33 percent due to China’s efforts to encourage people to read, the report said.

Children’s books took a share of 24.64 percent of the book sales nationwide, making it the category with the biggest contribution to the total sales growth, it said.

The Beijing Book Fair was first held in 1987 and is hosted by the Publishers Association of China and the Books and Periodicals Distribution Association of China.

This year’s book fair attracted 736 exhibitors and will host more than 180 cultural events, including forums.