Preserving the Past: Reviving China's Cultural Treasures

China's efforts to restore and showcase its vast collection of artifacts, including lacquer panels and ancient ceramics, are part of a cultural heritage push under President Xi Jinping. The Palace Museum, marking its 100th anniversary, plans to expand exhibition spaces to display more of its two million treasures.

Depicting Taoist deities in a misty landscape, a Qing dynasty lacquer panel inlaid with jade and agate is among thousands of artefacts revived from museum storage in China for restoration. These items, once deteriorated, might soon be showcased globally.

During a government-organised media tour at the Palace Museum's cultural protection and restoration department in the Forbidden City, restoration expert Sun Ou explained the severe state of some artefacts. "More than 100 pieces of inserts had fallen off and needed reinforcement," Sun shared.

This meticulous restoration effort is part of a broader initiative, escalating in the last decade under President Xi Jinping's directive to project China's cultural heritage on a global scale. Concurrently, the Palace Museum celebrates its 100th anniversary while preparing a new Beijing branch to expand exhibit capacity.

(With inputs from agencies.)