(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-09-07 16:31

Famous Chinese kung fu novelist Louis Cha Leung-yung, more widely known by his pen name Jin Yong, has donated 10 million yuan (US$1.3 million) to Peking University's Chinese Guoxue Academy to finance the study of traditional Chinese culture.

Born in East China's Zhejiang Province and carving out most of his career in Hong Kong, 83-year-old Louis Cha is one of the most influential modern Chinese-language novelists.

He co-founded the Hong Kong daily newspaper Ming Pao in 1959 and was the paper's first editor-in-chief, a position he held until his retirement in 1993.

Back in 1993, Cha donated one million yuan towards the establishment of the Chinese Guoxue Academy.

"A galaxy of top sinology researchers have assembled in Peking University," Cha said in a ceremony at the university, "further efforts will be made to express our support and reverence for Chinese traditional culture."