Japan's Eisei Bunko Museum has donated 4175 ancient Chinese books to the National Library of China. Guests and officials from both countries attended the ceremony at the National Museum of Classic Books in the capital. Qi Jie has more.

Covering Confucian classics, historical records, philosophical writings and miscellaneous works, all volumes come from the family collection of the Hosokawa clan, which owns the Eisei Bunko Museum. Museum chairman Morihiro Hosokawa, a former Japanese prime minister, presented the books. 

MORIHIRO HOSOKAWA, CHAIRMAN EISEI BUNKO MUSEUM OF JAPAN "My family, from my grandfather to my father, were very much interested in Chinese culture and collected a great number of ancient Chinese books. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing the Sino-Japanese Peace and Friendship Treaty. I want to donate these books to China and I hope they can contribute more to the research of Chinese culture."

Insiders say that it is so far the biggest book donation from Japan. The rare books trace the history of China-Japan cultural exchanges and development in the old times. Mr. Hosokawa is hoping that this donation will help strengthen ties, as well as cultural exchanges and cooperation. QIJIE, CGTN