Jiang Jianguo (center), director of the State Council Information Office of China and University of Zurich professor Wolfgang Behr (second from left) attend the launch ceremony of the first Chinese Books Center, Jan 11, 2017. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

The first Chinese Books Center in Switzerland was opened at the University of Zurich on Jan 11.

The center was built to make Chinese books more accessible to readers in Switzerland and help local people discover more about Chinese culture and developments.

State Council Information Office of China director Jiang Jianguo and University of Zurich professor Wolfgang Behr attended the launch ceremony along with officials and representatives from both countries.

On behalf of the Chinese government, Jiang donated 817 books about China in four languages, which included many rare books, literature classics, and non-fiction books on Chinese martial arts, traditional Chinese medicine, and ethnic cultures.

"We hope the center could boost the communication and cooperation on culture and publication between China and Switzerland," Jiang said.

The Chinese Books Center is a project initiated by the China International Publishing Group in 2015. At present, it has branches in Europe, South America, South Asia and Southeast Asia. About another 50 centers are planned to be built in five years.