China Library opens in Nigeria

China's State Council Information Office and Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Education open the "China Library" on Sept. 18 2013. Vice Minister of the State Council Information Office, Li Wufeng (left), presents a plaque to a representative from Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Education. (Photo: Li Xiaohua/china.org.cn)

The "China Library" project was launched in Abuja, Nigeria on Sept. 18, offering computers and books donated by China's State Council Information Office.

The launch coincided the ongoing "Experience China" program held in Nigeria which lasts from Sept. 10 to 19. Li Wufeng, vice minister of the State Council Information Office, made the official handover.

Previously, Zhang Dejiang, Chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee witnessed the completion of the Nigeria China Cultural Center, where the library is located.

The "China Library" covers an area of 100 square meters, enough space for 40 readers. It contains donated books, audio materials and electronic facilities. More than 5000 books in both English and Chinese have been donated, including Chinese classics such as "Journey to the West", "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and "Water Margin," as well as Chinese learning materials.

The collection also includes 82 audio materials, which will help local readers understand China's history and culture, and give them information on travel and other aspects of contemporary China.

The "China Library" was originally going to be located in the National Library of Nigeria, due to construction works, it has been set up in the China Cultural Center.

The library is the latest overseas cultural promotion project launched by the Information Office. The Office has already set up libraries in Soka University, Japan, the National Library of Tanzania and Marien Ngouabi University in the Republic of Congo.

The "Experience China" program is being run jointly by the State Council Information Office, the Chinese embassy in Nigeria and Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Education. It aims to increase cultural exchanges and mutual understanding between China and Nigeria.