A senior Chinese official on Friday called for using advanced tech and hi-tech to protect ancient books which record 5,000 history of Chinese nation.

Some treasures such as the only existing copy and reliable texts of ancients books should be well preserved by means of advanced tech and hi-tech, said Li Changchun, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

The books serve as a cultural line passing down the national spirit, said Li, when visiting an exhibition of ancient books in Beijing.

More than 200 ancient books are on show and the old books' repairing and duplicating are also made at the exhibition which opened Friday.

(Xinhua News Agency May 27, 2006)