BEIJING (Dispatches) -- Iran’s cultural attaché in China has paid a visit to a historic mosque in the Chinese capital, discussing ways to enhance cooperation on preservation of manuscripts.
Nematollah Iran-Zadeh visited the historic Dongsi Mosque in Beijing, where he explored the mosque’s rich cultural heritage, including its extensive collection of Qur’anic manuscripts and historical texts housed in its library and museum. 
Accompanied by cultural experts Emadeddin Sheikhulhokamai and Zeinab Piri, Iran-Zadeh held discussions with mosque officials on the potential ofcollaboration between Iranian manuscript specialists and the mosque’s library team.
The envoy pointed to the importance of publishing specialized catalogues and facilitating academic exchanges to preserve and study valuable manuscripts. 
During the visit, three Persian literary works translated into Chinese as part of a bilateral initiative for the reciprocal translation of classic Iranian and Chinese texts were presented to the mosque’s library.
The Dongsi Mosque, one of the oldest and most significant mosques in Beijing, was originally built in 1346 CE during the Yuan Dynasty and later reconstructed in 1447 CE under the patronage of military commander Qing-Yu. 
Architecturally, the mosque is divided into two distinct sections. The older section reflects traditional Islamic architectural styles, maintaining its original structure throughout centuries. The newer section, influenced by Chinese palace architecture, has undergone several renovations while preserving its historical essence. 
The mosque’s library houses over 14,000 manuscripts and printed works, including rare Qur’anic texts, Islamic books, and Persian manuscripts from the Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties. Among these are ancient Qur’ans with Persian translations, along with instructional, religious, and mystical texts.