Liu Li, president of Beijing Language and Culture University, speaks at the launch ceremony, Jan 17. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Beijing Language and Culture University is the main platform of this database. BLCU's president Liu Li said that "the university has always been rooted in Chinese culture and taught foreign students the essence of Chinese literature."

Huang Zhuoyue, director of Chinese Culture Translation and Communication Research Center, speaks at the launch ceremony, Jan 17. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"China's overseas development in culture falls behind our economic and scientific advancement," said Huang Zhuoyue, director of the Chinese Culture Translation and Communication Research Center. "Business exchange brings profits, while cultural understanding wins people's hearts."

Yan Jingming, vice-chairman of the China Writers Association, speaks at the launch ceremony, Jan 17. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Yan Jingming, vice-chairman of the China Writers Association, pointed out that the situation of global communication had altered as China's overall national strength has been rising. "More Chinese writers and critics have entered the international arena. More sinologists choose to translate contemporary Chinese literature."

"The next step is to let the world know more about Chinese writers, integrate our resources and further promote Chinese literature to the global community," Yan said.