Many precious manuscripts from the permanent collection of China's National Library have been publicly displayed for the first time. The six week exhibition of Ancient Books and Manuscripts has wrapped up now. And China's pledge to afford better protection to its ancient manuscripts is entering a new phase.

Hundreds of scholars from around the country became the exhibition's last group of visitors. They came to examine 400 archaic manuscripts and documents. All of the works are part of the National Treasure of Old Manuscripts.

This is the original script of "Zizhitongjian", or "History as a Mirror." The words are, as they were inscribed by the author, Sima Guang, over a thousand years ago. In its pages is a vast comprehensive, chronological history.

Other engaging items include the Dunhuang Letters, and the earliest version of "The Romance of Three Kingdoms." There's the "Outline of Herbal Medicine" compiled by Li Shizhen.

In some texts, colored pictures offer a glimpse of sophisticated printing technology in ancient China.

The National Library of China, together with the Ministry of Culture co-sponsored the exhibition.

China's first list of Treasured Old Manuscripts was unveiled on Monday. Liu Yandong, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee attended. Liu told the gathering she attached great importance to the conservation of ancient manuscripts where Chinese wisdom is encapsulated. She noted preservation of the manuscripts is key to preserving the core of China's traditional values and to maintaining the cultural identity.