Today marks International Museum Day. Many activities have been held in museum across China to celebrate this occasion. Our reporter Ding Siyue went to the geological museum of China, where a lesson was taught to teenagers about mineral pigments.

Mineral green and blue, those colors often seen in ancient Chinese paintings are made from this stone--azurite.

The leading role in this activity is mineral pigments. Participating teenagers were told the main characteristics of the pigment and its usage in history.

TANG CHI, DOCENT GEOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF CHINA "The class is mainly about the development of mineral pigments and the way to use them. Let them know that the stones can turn into such beautiful colors, and can last for hundreds or even thousands of years without fading. The famous Chinese painting 'A thousand Li of rivers and mountains' is mostly painted in mineral green and mineral blue, the same colors we present our students with today. We want to use this opportunity to popularize the mineral pigments."

The video of this lesson will be uploaded on the internet where other people interested in this subject can also learn.

The Geological Museum of China is founded in 1916, as the first national natural science museum built by Chinese people.

Deputy director Zhang Yajun says the museum is devoted to popular science education for the younger generations.

ZHANG YAJUN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR GEOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF CHINA "We have held a series of science education projects for children and teenagers, including lectures and interactive activities. We want them to learn more about our earth and its geology, and raise their awareness in protecting our planet and our environment."

Back to the event on international museum day where students also get the chance to paint a round fan with the pigments they've just learned about.

The colors may change a bit with time due to oxidation. But they can last for thousands of years.

SONG YUWEI STUDENT "It is the first time that I learnt minerals can be paint. I appreciate this opportunity to learn more about our Chinese traditional culture."

DING SIYUE BEIJING "This event is only one of the 42 activities taken place in Beijing on the International Museum Day. The city has gone all out in celebrating this occasion, with 99 national and private museums open to the public for free on May 18th."

This year's theme for International Museum Day is "Hyperconnected museums: New approaches, new publics", where museums explore new ways to approach more audiences by means like digitalizing their collections and adding multimedia elements to their exhibitions.

China officially joined the International Council of Museums in 1983 and has since celebrated Museum Day every year. DSY, CGTN.