Sun Beixin, vice-director of the library, said at the issuing ceremony that sports have been listed as valued skills of Chinese since ancient time.

The variety of sports adopted by Chinese ancestors can find similarity among modern athletic sports, which "demonstrates the resourceful Chinese physical culture," said the vice director.

Sun said ancient books and rare editions collected in her library contain a number of engravings, paintings and essays on sports.

To fully reflect the origin and development of Chinese physical culture, the 21 bookplates were designed according to selected engravings and paintings. It is said to be part of activities supporting Beijing's bid to hold the 2008 Olympic Games.

The collection include archery, ball games, martial arts, track and field, weight lifting, wrestling, water sports, chess, horsemanship and gymnastics.

(Xinhua News Agency 07/05/2001)

[The bookplates cost 480 yuan (about US$58) and are now available at the Chinese National Library’s Zizhu Hall. Starting Monday, they will be available in the library’s Rare Book Department. -- CIIC]