A book donation ceremony, launched by the Nanjing-based publishing giant Phoenix Publishing and Media Group (PPMG), in Yining of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region on May 29 demonstrated the continued efforts made by the eastern Chinese city to help its northwestern partner. 

Publications worth a total of 1 million yuan ($144,703) were donated by PPMG to Yining city; several Phoenix Reading Rooms were also set up at local primary and middle schools. 

Wang Yixuan, VP of PPMG, addressed the attendees, explaining that the enterprise has always been concerned about the cultural prosperity of Yining and that the Phoenix Reading Rooms were set up to strengthen the connections between Han, Kazak and Uygur ethnic groups. He hoped Yining students would enjoy their time reading. 

The donations were selected books and audio-visual products from nine publishing houses under PPMG's umbrella, including world classics, picture books and edutainment on science, biography, art, history and culture. 

The PPMG delegation also checked out the collections and resources of Yining primary and middle school libraries.