Peking University Thursday held a ceremony marking the 90th birthday of Ji Xianlin, one of China's most prominent academic figures.

Hundreds of domestic and overseas scholars and officials attended the ceremony, also featuring the 66th anniversary of Ji's embarking on his study of Oriental literature.

Ji was vice-president of Peking University and is a well-known linguist and translator. He is also well versed in Oriental literature, Indian studies, Oriental culture, Dunhuang studies and Buddhism.

Ji, born in 1911 in Shandong Province, has published a number of academic works in the above fields, which have greatly promoted cultural exchanges between China and overseas countries.

(Xinhua 05/17/2001)