The Canadian Foundation for the Preservation of Chinese Cultural and Historical Treasures donated a set of Biris 3D laser scanners, to the State Administration of Cultural Heritage (SACH) of China, to help improve the relics preservation work in the Three Gorges area in central China's Hubei Province.
Present at the donating ceremony were Wang Guangying, vice- chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, Zhang Wenbin, director of the SACH, Guo Shuyan, deputy director of Three Gorges Project Construction Committee, Daniel Hays, the senate speaker under the federal parliament of Canada, Joseph Caron, Canadian ambassador to China, and Wu Yongguang, president of the foundation.
According to Wu Yongguang, the Biris 3D laser scanner, as the latest technological innovation of the National Research Council of Canada, and the Canada-based company called Innovision, is able to record the shape of many ancient treasures. The relevant technologies have been widely applied in the United States and Canada.
The foundation will organize experts from both sides to carry out on-the-spot research with the scanner, and the Canadian experts will also give training courses on relics preservation. In 1999, an expert team organized by the foundation conducted research in the pilot area of the Three Gorges.
Wu said that the Chinese cultural relics are treasures of the world, which should be cherished and well protected by all. Zhang Wenbin also said that the advanced technology provided by the Canadian side will help strengthen the fundamental work of relics preservation in China.
The London-based foundation, launched in 1993, aims to help promote the Canadian people's understanding in the education, preservation and appreciation of Chinese cultural and historical treasures.
The foundation offers programs on educational exchange, publications and direct preservation efforts, which include providing preservation technology and instruments to China.
In 1998, the foundation and the SACH signed the Sino-Canadian Protocol on Cultural Heritage Preservation.
According to experts, about 200,000 to 300,000 relics need to be protected in the Three Gorges area, where the world's largest water project is currently under construction.
(Xinhua News Agency 16/10/2001)
