While the publishing and printing sides are both doing well, the distribution and logistics systems are decrepit and inflexible, making it nigh on impossible for millions to easily get a hold of published works. These two weak links in the industry are driving publishers and the media to frustration.
但若站到較高的視野俯瞰，大陸出版業的體質也是一番錯落面貌：出版和印刷都熱絡無比，但僵固老化的發行機制卻不能將書籍順暢地銷售到十幾億人手中，大陸媒體以出版業中的「分銷之痛」來形容。