Children show off the books at an overseas bookcrossing station of Overseas Chinese Library in Spain. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

The Nantong-based Overseas Chinese Library recently signed an agreement to establish its 107th overseas bookcrossing station in Spain.

Opening to the public in 2019, the library was made possible by donations from thousands of overseas Chinese in nearly 50 countries. Operated by volunteers, it has since sent more than 40,000 books to bookcrossing stations in 56 countries.

Over 60 million overseas Chinese people serve as a bridge between China and the world, and this library functions as a platform for Chinese people at home and abroad to communicate with each other.

Volunteers arrange books at the Overseas Chinese Library in Nantong. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

The hope and foundation for Sino-US relations is in people-to-people exchanges, and youths will play a particularly important role looking forward to the future, noted Duan Zhaonan, curator of Silicon Valley Museum of Art. Duan was a supporter of the establishment of the bookcrossing station in San Francisco.

Children of different cultures are reading the Chinese stories with curiosity. Many parents are optimistic about the station, saying that the station has become their second home, according to Duan.

Li Junni, director of the bookcrossing station, believes that the ultimate significance of the bookcrossing station is in its ability to facilitate the mutual understanding and appreciation across different societies.

After visiting over 10 library stations, Zhou Yuan, a community leader for overseas Chinese in Canada, and a bookcrossing station global promotion ambassador, commented that the most striking station he has personally seen is the one in Dubai. The station is built in a local training school and has helped both overseas Chinese and natives receive Chinese education and learn about Chinese culture.