Heritage Malta has reached an agreement with the China National Institute of Cultural Property that paves the way for exchanges in the spheres of science and culture between the two countries.

The agreement was signed during a recent visit to China by Heritage Malta chairman Mario Tabone and chief executive officer Antoinette Caruana.

On top of the agreement's agenda are a number of cultural heritage conservation research projects which Heritage Malta and CNICP will be jointly undertaking.

The scope of these projects ranges from the surface-cleaning of stone and ceramic objects by laser to the preserving of fortifications and of materials on ancient outdoor iron objects as well as stone conservation projects.

The agreement will also make possible the exchange of personnel visits, academic communication and personnel training. Both sides have also committed themselves to publish reports on joint research projects and share reference materials and data.

During the visit to China, Heritage Malta officials also concluded preliminary agreements to host an exhibition on Terracotta Soldiers in the second trimester of next year at the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta.

Heritage Malta is also planning to host an exhibition on photographs and models relating to city fortifications of Malta and the Chinese province of Shaanxi.

Heritage Malta is presently working on its forthcoming exhibition on characters in Beijing opera together with the Chinese Cultural Institute in Malta.