A public library themed on overseas Chinese will open in Chongchuan district, Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province, on April 29, the first of its kind in China, according to Nantong Daily.

A charity dinner will be held in the evening to mark the opening, with 22 examples of painting, calligraphy and embroidery works up for auction.

The library was initiated by the Nantong Federation of Overseas Chinese, Jiangsu Xintonghai Investment Group, Nantong Xinhuaqiao Education Group and a local welfare organization, and sponsored by overseas Chinese.

The venue is located on the fifth floor at Taobao City which belongs to Jiangsu Xintonghai Investment Group. It is provided by Lu Qiunian, a Chinese-American and chairman of the group, free of charge.

Covering an area of 2,000 square meters, the library is expected to collect 100,000 books, with local overseas Chinese serving as volunteer librarians.