Indonesia National Library Gets 100 Chinese Book Titles

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – The National Library of Indonesia received a donation of 100 book titles from 11 Chinese publishing institutions at a ceremony in Jakarta on Saturday (October 3, 2026). The donation is expected to enrich its international book collection and strengthen the library as a global book hub.

"The addition to the collection is expected to expand the sources of knowledge available to the public while supporting the exchange of knowledge and intercultural understanding," the National Library said in a statement as quoted from perpusnas.go.id.

The 100 titles had undergone a selection and curation process and were deemed consistent with the library’s collection development principles. From the materials offered by the 11 publishers, the National Library selected 100 titles to be added to its collection.

During the ceremony, Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Jakarta, Wang Siping, symbolically handed over 11 books representing the 11 publishers to Head of the National Library, E. Aminudin Aziz. Aminudin, who also presented books to Chinese representatives, said the initiative resulted in a "concrete contribution" in the form of information resources accessible by Indonesian readers.

"Books allow us to learn about other societies through their own stories, ideas, and experiences. Books help us understand how societies view their history, express their culture, and make sense of the world around them," he said.

The collection covers a range of subjects, including history, culture, children’s literature, and general knowledge. Although most books are in Chinese, some are also in English and Indonesian, further expanding the range of resources available to the public.

The donation is also linked to the Chinese publishers' participation in the recent Indonesia International Book Fair in Jakarta. Aminudin said the donation would allow books previously displayed at the exhibition to continue reaching readers through National Library services.

"The value of these books will continue to grow as readers use them, study their contents, and discover new questions through their pages," he said.

Meanwhile, Wang Siping said books are among the simplest yet most enduring means of cultural exchange and learning between civilizations. He hoped that the books would give Indonesian readers greater access to information about China while providing additional resources for intellectual and academic exchanges between the two countries.

"The meaning of cultural exchange lies not only in transmission, but also in dialogue; not only in dissemination, but also in efforts to build mutual understanding," Wang said.

The National Library of Indonesia has a collection of books from various countries, including dedicated reading corners featuring collections from Kazakhstan and South Korea. The collections are on the library's 20th floor, in a building described by the National Library as the world's tallest library building.