The year 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of China’s nationwide reading initiative, which was formally launched in 2006 through a joint advocacy by multiple central government departments. Over the past two decades, China’s national reading policies and regulatory framework have undergone a profound transformation, evolving from fragmented advocacy efforts into a systematic, institutionalized, and legally grounded governance structure. This paper takes the policy development from 2006 to 2026 as its research object, systematically reviewing its evolutionary trajectory, implementation outcomes, existing challenges, and future optimization paths under the framework of high-quality development. The study identifies four major stages in the evolution of national reading policies. The initial stage (2006–2012) was characterized by conceptual advocacy and localized experimentation, focusing on cultivating reading awareness and promoting public participation through non-binding policy instruments. The second stage(2013—2020) witnessed gradual expansion and policy enrichment, with increased institutional support and the emergence of diversified reading promotion activities. The third stage(2021—2026) emphasized top-level design and systemic integration, incorporating national reading into key state development strategies and planning documents, thereby strengthening policy coordination and execution. The most recent stage marks the transition toward legalization and standardization, highlighted by the promulgation of the Regulations on the Promotion of National Reading in 2025, which signifies the entry of national reading into a rule-of-law-based development phase. From a multidimensional perspective, this paper evaluates policy effectiveness across four key areas: policy implementation, reading infrastructure, reading culture, and national reading literacy. The findings suggest that sustained policy support has significantly improved public reading facilities, exemplified by the expansion of public libraries and rural reading programs, enhanced accessibility of reading resources, and fostered a strong societal reading atmosphere. Meanwhile, national reading rates and citizens’ literacy levels have shown steady improvement, indicating the positive impact of long-term policy guidance. However, the study also identifies several challenges, including uneven regional development, inadequate policy implementation at the local level, disparities in resource allocation, and the need to further enhance reading quality and depth in the digital age. In response, the paper proposes strategic recommendations, such as strengthening institutional guarantees, optimizing policy implementation mechanisms, promoting digital and inclusive reading services, fostering a more sustainable and innovation-driven reading ecosystem, and the widening gap in reading participation among different social groups. In conclusion, the 20-year development of national reading policies in China demonstrates a significant shift from advocacy to institutionalization and legalization. This transformation not only contributes to the construction of a learning-oriented and culturally confident society but also provides valuable insights for the continuous improvement of public cultural services and the realization of high-quality development in the new era.