Local artists write Spring Festival couplets for Chinese-Australian teenagers at an overseas Chinese library in Nantong on Dec 23. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

A total of 42 Chinese-Australian teenagers visited an international library in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province, on Dec 23, and donated some books.

The visit is part of a winter camp for overseas Chinese teenagers to help them trace their roots. During the 10-day tour, they are learning about traditional Chinese culture and enjoying the charming scenery of Nantong.

The library is the first of its kind in China, founded on April 29 this year. It was initiated by the Nantong Federation of Overseas Chinese, Jiangsu Xintonghai Investment Group, Nantong Xinhuaqiao Education Group and a local welfare organization, and sponsored by Chinese people overseas.

To date, there have been overseas Chinese from more than 50 countries contributing to the development of the library. Local overseas Chinese serve as volunteer librarians.

The venue is located on the fifth floor at Taobao City, which belongs to Jiangsu Xintonghai Investment Group. It is provided by Lu Qiunian, a Chinese-American and chairman of the group, free of charge.

Covering an area of 2,000 square meters, the library has collected more than 40,000 books so far. The target is set at 100,000 books.