It marks the beginning of a national project to build 10,000 e-libraries or information centers in 1,000 counties across China.

The project, launched by the China Youth Development Foundation, is to build an "electronic library network" in rural China to help farmers have more interesting and enjoyable leisure time.

Xu Yongguang, secretary general of CYDF, said his foundation has started a nationwide campaign to donate computers, CDs and satellite receivers to e-information centers in rural China.

(Xinhua 10/30/2000)