Soochow University, City University of Macau and the University of Évora signed an integrated co-operation agreement last week in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, for the China–Portugal Joint Laboratory of Cultural Heritage Conservation Science.

Approved by China’s Ministry of Science and Technology in 2020, the laboratory conducts joint research on the scientific protection of architectural heritage, the application of digital technologies and professional training.

The agreement provides for a three-site operating model under a shared name, with unified management and the sharing of resources and research outcomes among mainland China, Macao and Portugal. It also covers joint research, the application of scientific and technological results, the training of young professionals and exchanges between researchers.

The laboratory has also created a database of World Heritage sites connected with the Belt and Road Initiative. It contains more than 1,000 entries and is intended to support heritage conservation, research and dissemination.

Portugal’s Minister of Education, Science and Innovation, Fernando Alexandre, attended the meeting and witnessed the signing. The scientific conservation of cultural heritage is one of five priority areas for co-operation agreed by the two countries during a ministerial visit to China.

(Source: Xinhua Português, 27 October)