A digital library for the blind, where the visually impaired can listen to electronic books, music or online lectures for free, has opened in Beijing.

Situated in the National Library, the facility was jointly set up by the Information Center of the China Disabled Persons' Federation, the National Library and China Braille Publishing House.

It was opened on the eve of the International Day of the Blind, which falls on October 15.

About 200 electronic books, 500 audio programs and 500 video programs are available at the library, covering ancient Chinese culture, medicine, modern literature and daily life. Some of the materials were provided according to requests from the blind.

The library plans to add at least 200 electronic books, 30 lecture videos and 500 audio programs every year.

China has 82.96 million disabled people, of whom 16.91 million are blind, according to statistics from the disabled federation.

(Xinhua News Agency October 15, 2008)