Book collecting started Monday in China's Hong Kong for the Book Donation and Sale Campaign 2005, which will promote reading and book sharing and help the needy.

The annual activity, organized by the Hong Kong Public Library, Leisure and Cultural Services and other government departments, will sell all books for five HK dollars (US$0.64) each, with the proceeds donated to the Community Chest.

Donors can take books to public libraries until Feb. 23. Adult's and children's books on general subjects are welcome, except textbooks for primary and secondary schools, exercise books, magazines and audio-visual materials, said the organizers.

Donated books will be put on sale for charity on Feb. 26 and 27at the Central Library, Boundary Street Sports Center, and Yuen WoRoad Sports Center.

(Xinhua News Agency January 18, 2005)