First Chinese corner set up in London's library

The first Chinese corner was established in a public library on Friday in the heart of London, for promoting the learning of Chinese and cultural communication between the two countries.

Located at the City of Westminster, the Charing Cross Library has more than 70 years' history, but with no Chinese books until 1980s. Started from a few Chinese books and several shelves, the library now has become the biggest public Chinese library in Britain with more than 70,000 Chinese books and over 100 kinds of periodicals.

The Chinese corner was established to develope Chinese teaching and learning and Chinese culture exchanges. The content of the newly established corner includes business Chinese language teaching, dialogue and writing.

More and more British people have realized that knowing Chinese is very important, and China and the Chinese people are also like to promote the development of their language, as well as increase the communication of the two cultures, said Chichy Li, Chinese Service Manager of Westminster Libraries, and also the curator of the Charing Cross Library.

"Chinese corner is a very good idea, and establish one in Charing Cross Library is a good initiative, as the library can provide good quality services for the community, which is one of the biggest Chinese communities in Europe," said Mike Clarke, director of Tri-Borough Director of Libraries and Archives (City of Westminster, London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, and Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea).

Mike said, by learning experiences from the first Chinese corner, and surveys depending on the needs of other communities, they might think about expand the corner in other public libraries in London or across the country.