Beijing, April 19—The Academic Symposium on the Compilation, Preservation, and Utilization of Ancient Texts was jointly hosted by the Beijing Academic Library Consortium, the Library Research Branch of the Beijing Higher Education Association, and the Beijing Academic Library Information System (BALIS). Renmin University Library served as the organizer.

Distinguished guests attending the symposium included: Vice President Zhi Xiaoqiang of Renmin University; Zhang Yaotian, Deputy Director of Beijing Municipal Education Commission; Wei Chong, Deputy Director of the National Library of China; and Chen Jianlong, Director of the Academic Library Steering Committee under the Ministry of Education and Director of Peking University Library. The event gathered over 100 participants, comprising library directors and key staff members from universities across China, as well as renowned scholars from research institutions. Mu Feng, Secretary of the Party Committee of Renmin University Library, presided over the opening ceremony.

During the symposium, Vice President Zhi Xiaoqiang emphasized that over the past three years, Renmin University of China has demonstrated a remarkable commitment and achieved significant breakthroughs regarding ancient texts preservation and utilization, epitomizing its founding mission. Zhi outlined three key initiatives: first, advancing the digital transformation of ancient texts restoration from experience-based to technology-driven approaches; second, deeply exploring the philosophical and historical values within ancient texts while promoting open access to digitized resources; and third, leveraging the Tongzhou campus library development to establish an integrated Ancient Texts Restoration Center and research laboratory, thereby pioneering new models for the field’s development in alignment with the university’s multi-campus expansion strategy.

As the permanent secretariat of the Beijing Academic Library Committee, the Library Research Division of Beijing Higher Education Association, and the management center of Beijing Academic Library & Information System (BALIS), Renmin University Library has played a pivotal role in promoting resource sharing and service innovation among academic libraries across the capital. The successful convening of this academic symposium represents a concrete initiative to deepen research on the compilation, preservation, and utilization of ancient texts while fostering the enduring legacy of China’s outstanding traditional culture.

Moving forward, Beijing’s academic libraries will strengthen collaboration to enhance the research, conservation, and application of ancient texts, jointly composing a new chapter in preserving China’s cultural heritage while fulfilling the fundamental mission of fostering virtue through education.