From July 23rd to 30th, Zhang Zhiqing, Executive Deputy Director of the National Library of China (NLC), led a delegation of five to Russia and Uzbekistan at the invitation of the Russian State Library, the National Library of Russia, and the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan. 

During their visit to Russia, the delegation participated in the First China-Russia Library Forum, which was jointly sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, and hosted by the Russian State Library. At the forum, Zhang Zhiqing delivered a keynote report titled "Deepen Cooperation, and Promote Mutual Learning and Progress”, introducing the latest work of the NLC with special focus on the preservation and conservation of ancient books, as well as digital transformation and development of libraries. Zhang Zhiqing emphasized that it is the natural responsibility of libraries as social and cultural memory institutions to preserve and inherit the history and civilization of various countries and ethnic groups; and it is an inevitable requirement of adapting to the development and transformation trend of the times to vigorously promote the construction of smart libraries. 

The delegation also paid an official visit to the National Library of Russia. Zhang Zhiqing and General Director Vladimir Gronsky jointly signed the Cooperation Agreement between the National Library of China and the National Library of Russia, making clear that the two libraries will deepen practical cooperation in the joint development and sharing of their respective resources, and the joint cultivation of talents in new digital technologies and professional techniques, and strive to promote the high-quality development of librarianship of the two countries. 

During their stay in Uzbekistan, the delegation visited the Center of Islamic Civilization. Zhang Zhiqing and the Director of the center, Amb. Dr. ShoazimMinovarov, jointly signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between the Silk Road International Library Alliance and the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, laying the foundation for further cooperation between the two sides under the framework of the Silk Road International Library Alliance. 

Members of the delegation include Wang Honglei, Director of the Office of China National Center for Preservation & Conservation of Ancient Books, Wang Yanhang, Secretary General of the Library Society of China, as well as personnel from the International Cooperation Division and the Library of Ancient Books.