A complete set of unique handwritten Macao newspapers went on display for the first time recently in Nanjing, the capital of east China's Jiangsu Province.

The newspapers, written by hand in 1839, contain translated articles published by foreign newspapers and magazines in Macao as well as articles published by newspapers in Singapore and India.

The articles included commentaries by foreigners on China's opium eradication campaign some 160 years ago, as well as discussions of the habits and customs of foreigners.

The newspapers were read by officials and emperors of Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), and at the time they were one of the sources for China to learn about the outside world.

The exhibition, called "Macao: 400 Years," was organized by the Nanjing Library. Many pictures featuring the culture, conditions and customs of Macao over the past 400 years were also displayed.