Weng Wan-go films a short movie on Chinese art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, in 1951. [File photo]

According to Weng, the collection focuses on ancient and rare books, ink paintings and calligraphic works by top-notch artists.

The collecting of art began with Weng Tonghe's father Weng Xincun; but the collection took its shape mostly because of Weng Tonghe, who, during his tenure from 1861-1898 in the Qing court, invested most of his spare time, energy and savings in art.

The family heritage has been kept safely for six generations, until the stewardship finally lay in the hands of Weng Wan-go. "I was endowed with the legitimate ownership of the collection at 3," Weng says.

Born on July 28, 1918, in Shanghai, Weng Wan-go pursued further studies in the US in 1938, where he lived for 10 years.

During the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1937-45), the Weng family tried its best to spare the collection from wars and thefts.

The collection remained intact in China until 1948, when Weng, then 30, hastily shipped it to the US, fearing that the continued social unrest would place the works in jeopardy.

However, Weng's bond with his home country was never lost.

Over the past decade, he has paid many visits to the mainland.

"I have lived for my family collection and the collection has dominated my entire life," a tearful Weng Wan-go said at a recent opening ceremony.

"And I have waited for so long to share my passion for Chinese cultural heritage with people on the mainland."

Back in 2000, Weng sold the family's rare book collection to Shanghai Library for $4.5 million. The book collection, in 80 categories and 542 titles from the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, is widely considered a national treasure as it contains numerous ancient and rare books that cannot be found on the mainland.

Weng refuses to call himself a collector. Instead, he calls himself "an ardent lover of Chinese art and culture, and a guard of my family treasures".

Weng admits he has rarely added items to the collection accumulated by his ancestors.

"Nor do I want to possess these works for my own good. Artworks should be enjoyed and appreciated by people who know their value," Weng says.

Over the years he has been involved in introducing Chinese culture to global readers, compiling a string of books on Chinese art and history.

Weng has also produced educational films on Chinese history and culture, and innovatively used various ancient paintings in the family collection.

At 90, Weng remains strong. He walks without a walking stick. And he speaks clearly and in great depth. "I am thinking of writing an autobiography ... And I am preparing a complete catalog of the whole Weng Collection," says Weng.

(China Daily January 9, 2009)