The Yungang Grottoes Research Academy in Shanxi province and the Dunhuang Research Academy in Gansu province, two major mural protection institutes, inked an agreement on April 12 on conservation of ancient wall paintings and earthen relic sites.

The Shanxi work station of the National Research Center for Conservation of Ancient Wall Paintings, which is based in the Dunhuang academy, was also launched in Datong city on the same day.

The center aims to resolve key technological problems in the conservation of ancient wall paintings and earthen relic sites, said Su Bomin, deputy head of the center.

Shanxi boasts profound cultural relics, including over 24,000 square meters of murals; however, about 70 percent of them do not have sufficient conservation for lack of professional personnel. The new work station is expected to relieve such difficulties.

Moreover, the work station marks the first step into a new stage in the conservation of the Yungang Grottoes and other ancient relics, said Zhang Zhuo, head of the Yungang Grottoes Research Academy.