Wood structures support buttress and vault, protection nets and scaffolding outside the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, October 15, 2019. /VCG Photo
China and France signed a cooperation document on the restoration of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on Wednesday, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage (SACH) announced.
According to the document, the two sides will confirm the theme and model of the cooperation on the protection and restoration of the cathedral in 2020. Meanwhile, a group of Chinese experts will be selected to participate in the on-site restoration in Paris, working with the French team.
The document also shows that China and France will conduct technical and scientific exchanges and training programs on the protection of the Terracotta Army at the Mausoleum of Qinshihuang – the first Emperor of China – in northwest China's Shaanxi Province.
"Exchanges among civilizations will surmount barriers, mutual learning will surmount conflict and coexistence will surmount superiority," said Liu Yuzhu, director of the SACH.
Visitors are seen during the exhibition of Qin Shi Huang, the First Emperor of China, and Terracotta Warriors at the National Museum of Thailand in Bangkok, Thailand, September 15, 2019. /VCG Photo
According to Liu, the departments of cultural heritage of China and France have been discussing the proposals of cooperation since the massive fire devastated the landmark cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris in April this year.
Liu also noted that both France's Notre-Dame Cathedral and China's Terracotta Army are two of the most iconic cultural heritages in the two countries, and are also cultural symbols of great significance with a worldwide reputation.
He said he believed that the conservation, restoration and research works on the two landmarks will greatly expand the depth of China-France cultural heritage cooperation and produce a positive demonstration effect in the world.