On July 18, the State Administration of Culture Heritage joined hands with the Shanxi government and Italy Institute to start a protection project for painted sculptures and wall paintings in Shanxi province.

A painted sculptures and wall paintings renovation training class was held by the Shanxi provincial cultural relics bureau, the Cultural Heritage Research Institute of China and the Italy Central Research Institute of Advanced Protection and Renovation to preserve the original status and features of these artistic treasures.

It is the largest renovation project ever targeted at national-level historic painted sculptures and wall paintings in Shanxi province. It is another major relic-preserving action taken by Shanxi province after the ancient building protection project began in the province's southwest region.

Shanxi province now has a total of 28,027 ancient buildings. Seventy-five percent of the nation's ancient buildings prior to the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) are found in Shanxi, the most of any province in China.

There are altogether 12,700 painted sculptures and wall paintings extending about 24,000 square meters. The large quantity, history and artistic excellence are second to none in China and have earned the province recognition as the artistic treasure-house of ancient painted sculptures and wall paintings.

Unfortunately, due to thousands of years of natural corrosion and human intrusion, these rare and breathtaking cultural heritages have suffered severe damage, including fracturing, peeling, hollowing and pollution. They are in urgent need of care and protective measures.

By Zhang Shuai