Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The scientific publishing program of King Abdulaziz Public Library has introduced Saudi culture to many countries, including China.

The program entails publishing a series of scientific, cultural, and literary publications in Arabic and translating them into other languages, including Chinese. The library selects a variety of its publications, as well as Saudi literary, historical, and scientific works, for translation into Chinese, in a bid to present aspects of contemporary Saudi culture to Chinese readers.

One of the most notable translations into Chinese is the first volume of the comprehensive encyclopedia of Saudi Arabia, called Saudipedia or Saudi Encyclopedia; it is the first step on the way to translating all 20 volumes of the encyclopedia. These volumes cover all regions of the Kingdom and focus fields such as history, archaeology, culture, geography, economy, social patterns, customs and traditions, tourism, and wildlife.

The library also translated the book "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the People's Republic of China: A History of Trade Relations between China and the Arabian Peninsula", which highlights the contributions and scientific achievements of the Arab Islamic nation and China to fields such as astronomy, sciences, geography, agriculture, and medicine. The book shows the long-standing relationships between them, before and after Islam, the exchange of trade and journeys via the Silk Road, and their cooperation and mutual understanding, and is an important source for researchers from both sides.

The library also translated into Chinese Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Mana’s book "In the Footsteps of Al-Mutanabbi", which documents the locations Al-Mutanabbi passed through during his journey from Cairo to Kufa.

It also translated several books by author Hind Al-Sudairy, including "Modern Woman in the KSA", the first book to place Saudi women in a broader cultural context, which explores various topics and historical developments, and highlights the social and economic contributions of Saudi women. Moreover, the library has translated 11 children's stories from Arabic into Chinese, providing information about the history and culture of the Kingdom.

Since the establishment of its branch at Peking University in China six years ago, the library has been conducting various activities aimed at introducing Chinese people to different elements of Saudi, Arab, and Islamic culture. These activities have helped bridge the gap between Saudi and Chinese cultures, and increase knowledge and enhance interaction, both through books and publications, and through organizing seminars and workshops that introduce Saudi heritage arts.