First Chinese book center set up in South America

A launch ceremony was held on Sunday in Peru's national library in Lima to mark the establishment of the first-ever Chinese book center in South America.

The book center was set up by China International Publishing Group and the National Library of Peru with the support from China’s Stated Council Information Office.

The launch of the book center, coinciding with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Peru, is an important outcome of China-Peru cultural exchanges, said Huang Kunming, executive deputy head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, at the opening ceremony.

Xi also attended the 24th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting during his stay in Peru.

Highlighting the importance of the book center, Huang said that the center will, with joint efforts of both sides, serve as a window for Peruvian public to learn about the Chinese culture.

The Chinese books collected and displayed by the center, which appears like a hall exhibiting the colorful Chinese culture, will help Peruvian public understand Chinese culture and contemporary China, he added.

In addition, about 1,000 Chinese books were donated to the National Library of Peru at the inauguration ceremony. Those books cover a broad range of topics including the traditional culture and national conditions of China.