Ming at the museum

British Museum exhibition Ming: 50 Years that Changed China was the largest Chinese cultural heritage show in the museum's history and a successful example of the growing cooperation between museums in China and the United Kingdom. [Photo/Agencies]

The achievements have also perhaps shed some light on Sino-UK museum ventures.

"We're not starting from a blank sheet. There are good established partnerships," says Nick Marchand, director of arts and creative industries from the cultural and education section of the British embassy in Beijing.

He says he is hoping to expand communication between museums in the two countries.

China is home to 4,000 museums, and the UK has about 2,500. Marchand says there is great potential to make the network wider.

"UK-China Year of Cultural Exchange is the opportunity. However, when the fireworks end, we don't want things to stop," Marchand says. "We want a long-term and sustainable relationship with continuous dialogue.

"Chinese museums' strength is in digital technology. And, financial sustainability and audience development are successful in UK museums. It's not only about artistic collaborations, but also about how to strengthen each other."

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