JEDDAH: Officials at the King Abdul Aziz Public Library at Peking University recently held a meeting to press on with plans to enhance cultural bridges between China and the Kingdom. The meeting was held between the library’s founding supervisor general, Dr. Faisal bin Muammar, and Peking University President Hao Ping, as well as board members. During the meeting, officials came up with a five-year plan for the library, which includes translating publications to Arabic and Chinese and enhancing mutual knowledge through the promotion of common cultural programs. Officials also discussed the organizational arrangements required for making the institution a beacon of Arabic culture in the East. The Arab-Chinese digital library was launched in March 2018 by the Arab League, King Abdul Aziz Public Library and the National Library of China. King Salman inaugurated the library during a visit to China. The launch came on the sidelines of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF), which serves as a vital bridge between the Arab world and China. The project primarily aims to strengthen collaboration between libraries in the Arab world and China amid ever-growing economic and political bilateral ties. “The latest initiative reiterates the Kingdom’s interest in science and knowledge,” said Muammar. “Science is the foundation of national renaissance and progress. I hope we can further collaborate in fields of scientific research.” The library will be home to a comprehensive array of Arabic books and references and will serve to strength Arabic language programs at Chinese universities.