China-Greece Joint Lab Expands to 12 Units for Heritage Tech
The China-Greece Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Cultural Heritage Conservation Technology has grown to 12 collaborative units. Led by the Palace Museum and IESL, the lab utilizes laser cleaning and digital tech for heritage preservation, with plans to expand operations to Malta.
*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
The China-Greece Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Cultural Heritage Conservation Technology has expanded its collaborative research institutions to 12 units across China and Greece. Established following a 2019 state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Greece, the joint laboratory aims to strengthen cooperation in the preservation and restoration of historical and cultural heritages through advanced technology.
Operational Expansion
The joint laboratory is led by the Palace Museum in China and the Institute of Electronic Structure & Laser (IESL) under the Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH) in Greece. To date, the lab has established two workstations in China. Physical facilities include 650 square meters on the Chinese side and 100 square meters on the Greek side.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Collaborative Units | 12 |
| Chinese Facilities | 650 sq m |
| Greek Facilities | 100 sq m |
| Workstations in China | 2 |
Technological Focus
The laboratory has formed a complete innovation chain spanning scientific research, equipment, standards, and applications. Key areas of collaborative research and development (R&D) include:
- Laser cleaning
- Laser holographic speckle interferometry
- Non-destructive testing
- Digital technologies
Laser cleaning remains a primary focus, particularly for the conservation of Lingzhao Xuan, a Western-style building in the Forbidden City constructed primarily of masonry and metal. Duan Hongying, section leader of the Material Science Group at the Palace Museum, noted that the lab is advancing R&D for new laser cleaning equipment tailored for on-site operation.
Future Initiatives
Qu Liang, director of the Palace Museum's Conservation Standard Department and executive deputy director of the joint lab, stated that the laboratory plans to establish a workstation in Malta. This expansion aims to jointly conduct research and conservation of local sites, ancient architecture, and murals. The lab has already collaborated with the UAE on archaeological excavations.
Zhao Guoying, former deputy director of the Palace Museum and director of the joint lab, emphasized that the mutual attraction between the two ancient civilizations and the shared need for cultural heritage conservation drove the partnership. Paraskevi Pouli, senior application scientist at IESL and Greek head of the joint lab, described the facility as a bridge for exchange and mutual learning among diverse civilizations.
How might the establishment of a workstation in Malta influence the Belt and Road Initiative's cultural diplomacy strategy in the Mediterranean region?
What are the potential commercialization prospects for the lab's specialized laser cleaning equipment in the global heritage conservation market?
Could the standardization efforts of this joint laboratory lead to internationally recognized protocols for non-destructive testing of historical artifacts?
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