Image Source: Visual China

BEIJING, June 2 (TMTPOST) — Kindle China announced on Thursday on Weibo that Amazon will suspend the operation of the Kindle store in China on June 30, 2023.

Users will no longer be able to purchase new books on the Kindle store starting from June 30, 2023. However, users can download purchased and read books on their Kindle devices before the date of operation suspension.

Amazon said that it will continue to provide customer service and quality assurance service after the date of operation suspension. Kindle devices that are purchased after January 1, 2022, and meet refund requirements can also be returned and refunded. Users can only return Kindle devices that are functional and purchased from retail channels authorized by Amazon China.

Amazon said that the company’s long-term commitment to the Chinese market remains unchanged. “We have established a broad business operation in China and will continue to innovate and invest in the Chinese market. Amazon China’s businesses include Amazon Buy Overseas, Amazon Global Vendor, Amazon Advertisement, cross-border e-commerce business, Amazon Cloud Technology and Amazon Smart Hardware and Service,” the company said in the announcement.

E-reader has a big market in China. Statistics from company information platform Tianyancha show that there are over 2,700 companies whose company names and business operations include e-readers or digital books. 43% of relevant companies have a registered capital of less than one million yuan, while 63% of relevant companies are five years old or younger. South China’s Guangdong Province has over 600 companies related to e-readers and digital books.

The spokesperson of China’s Ministry of Commerce commented on the Kindle store’s suspension of operation in the country at a press conference on Thursday, saying that it is normal for companies, including companies funded by foreign capital, to adjust their products and services in the market given the market conditions.