The city of Datong has opened a Sinology lecture hall to the public, with Yi Ren, a calligrapher and painter and professor of Chinese studies, at Hainan Normal University, giving the first lecture, on Dec 10, where he spoke about the value of traditional Chinese culture.

The lecture hall, in the old town area of the city, is the work of several Sinologists whose idea was to increase public understanding of and interest in classical Chinese language, literature and customs. There will be weekly lectures by speakers from all over the country. One renowned expert in Qing Dynasty (1636-1912) history, Ji Lianhai, has promised to come to Datong to share some ideas with the public.