China's State Council Information Office presented several thousands of books about Chinese politics, economy, culture and history as gifts to Turkish think tank and educational institutions on Monday amid China's efforts to boost cultural communication with Turkey.

Wang Zhongwei (L), deputy director of China's State Council Information Office, presents the book list to Alanya Bahar, general manager of Jale Tezer College, in Ankara, Turkey, Oct. 18, 2010. China's State Council Information Office presented several thousands of books about Chinese politics, economy, culture and history as gifts to Turkish think tank and educational institutions on Monday amid China's efforts to boost cultural communication with Turkey.[Xinhua]

The Ankara-based International Strategic Research Organization, Middle East Technical University, Ankara University and Jale Tezer College each accepted nearly 1,000 books at a ceremony here.

The books cover such subjects as literature, religion, economy and Chinese language education and record the long history and current development of China, said Wang Zhongwei, deputy director of China's State Council Information Office.

"I hope those interested in China like these books and gain better understanding of China by reading them," he said at the presentation ceremony. "I wish this will benefit the development of China-Turkey relations."

Alanya Bahar, general manager of Jale Tezer College, expressed her gratitude for the gifts, saying Chinese has been listed as an obligatory course for students at her school.

"I'm happy to see the world has become so small that children can learn all kinds of languages and cultures," she said.

The book presentation was part of the large-scale cultural event "Experience China in Turkey" held in Ankara and the Turkish city Istanbul. The event started on Sunday and will last till the end of October.

Aimed at promoting cultural communication and people's mutual understanding, the event covers nine major programs, such as the Chinese-Turkish political and economic forums, Chinese movie and television weeks, Chinese cuisine festival and exchanges between journalists and writers.

(Xinhua News Agency October 18, 2010)