The launch of the English (Nepal Edition) of Liangzhu Civilization Towards the World takes place at the 2nd South Asia International Book Fair in Kathmandu. [Photo/WeChat account: zupress]

The recent 2nd South Asia International Book Fair in Kathmandu, capital of Nepal, featured the launch of the English (Nepal Edition) of the Chinese Liangzhu Civilization Towards the World series of books, hosted by the Zhejiang University Press.

The Liangzhu civilization was a Neolithic culture in China that existed from 3300–2300 BC. The celebrated archaeological ruins of Liangzhu city are located in the Yuhang district of Hangzhou – capital of East China's Zhejiang province. They were included on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2019.

The event also saw the signing of agreements for South Asian multi-language editions of the Liangzhu civilization book series.

Representatives from Nepal, China, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Thailand attended, including Professor Chen Jie, editor-in-chief of the Zhejiang University Press. Chen highlighted Liangzhu's global significance as a bridge for understanding China's 5,000-year-old civilization.

The series, encompassing 15 volumes, will be published in Sinhala, Hindi and Bengali, showcasing the openness and collaborative spirit of Asian cultures. The books compile 80 years of archaeological findings, supported by China's major cultural export initiatives.

Participants at the book launch praised the series for fostering cross-cultural exchanges, with Kiran Gautum, president of Nepal's Current Publications, noting its value in enhancing Nepal-China academic collaboration. The initiative is said to exemplify Asia's shared commitment to preserving heritage and promoting cultural diversity.

Representatives from Nepal, China, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Thailand attend the launch ceremony. [Photo/WeChat account: zupress]