Ji Xianlin, a leading scholar and a former professor at Peking University, Friday donated a number of valuable paintings, manuscripts and books he has collected over many years to the university's library.

Source from the Peking Univeristy said that Ji's donations are of great research significance and collection value.

The source added that some of the donations will be open to visitors under certain conditions.

Ji, 90 years old, is one of China's most famous linguists, translators and writers. His research findings on Indian history and the Sanskrit language have contributed greatly to cultural exchanges between the two countries.

(People's Daily 07/08/2001)