To answer your Question, YES do are intoxicated with classical texts. If you go to normal book shops in China you will see only old classical texts. Once I met a girl and after 2-3 outings, I told her that I simply didn't like the way she talk or behave. May be she though she was brilliant by talking (TRYING) something like in Old English days.

I asked her if she reads any modern literature where the whole aspect of society is analyzed. She could hardly tell any name of modern writers. I am not trying to generalize it but what I see around, I have a feelings that Chinese girls or man are not a serious reader of books that are not "in Harmony with the Society and Government." When I was in beijing, I tried to get some books written by Milan Kundrea, Orhan Pamuk etc. Found one book store with European price. This may also be one reason for some people to buy it as it is expensive compared to classical texts which are reprinted in China with 1/4 of european prices.

May be they will change if they get the opportunity to read recent books which can represent the recent society at a price that general chinese (students) can afford.