Iran to participate in restoration of Beijing historical texture

TEHRAN, Apr. 20 (MNA) – Chinese Cultural Attaché has requested Iran’s participation in restoration of Beijing historical texture. Seyed Mohammad Beheshti, the Head of Cultural Heritage Research Center and Du Sian King, Chinese Cultural Attaché held a meeting on Sunday where they agreed that Center would cooperate with Beijing Municipality in restoring the city’s rich historical texture. Beheshti welcomed cooperation by Center with Chinese universities and institutions; "we have three official protection layers: by law, by registering in national and international site lists, and by technical protection,” he told Chinese official. “We could provide advice on research; however, on actual operational phase, Chinese delegation should seek cooperation from Cultural Heritage Organization as the authority to issue such permissions,” Beheshti said. He cited Don Huang cave research delegation and exhibition in China of Iranian National Museum pottery items as good opportunities to work with Chinese officials. Beheshti pointed to the history of Iran-China relations as tracing back to Parthian period; “archeological findings clearly prove Chinese footprints in the Kish Island,” said the head of Research Center, adding that the Center would cooperate with Chinese delegation in underwater archeology. Du Sian King for his part, said that restoration of Beijing historical texture was a matter of concern for the Municipality as well as Chinese government; “a good example of cultural exchange is white and blue pottery works; now, Iran’s National Museum is the richest in displaying the fine Chinese pottery and porcelain,” said King, “until the T’ang Dynasty, only white porcelain was produced; however, Iranians introduced the craft of making blue porcelain to China,” he added. Monir Khalafi, Head of Research Center’s Public and International Relations Office said the Center would welcome collaboration with Chinese officials in Chinese Academy of Sciences, Silk Road Research Center, and Dun Huang cave research delegation; “Nanjing University has signaled its interest in Iron Age archeology in North Khorasan province,” he added. The meeting also agreed that Chinese cultural attaché provide the Center with information on Chinese universities and institutions with specialty in culture and heritage.