The International Forum on Cave Temple Conservation, hosted by the National Cultural Heritage Administration and the Chongqing Municipal People's Government, kicked off in Dazu District, Chongqing on August 19.

Experts and scholars from China, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Nepal, Norway, the United Kingdom and other countries in the field of cave temple conservation, offered their insights around the theme "Cave Temple Conservation in the Context of Climate Change" and topics like opportunities and challenges of cave temple conservation in the context of climate change, key scientific challengesand technical progress in tech-powered cave temple conservation, archaeology and multi-value excavation of cave temples, monitoring and risk managementin cave temples. They also presented classic case studies,brainstormedto form a theoretical framework, discussedtechnological strategies, and anticipated future possibilities.

At the opening ceremony of the forum, Academy of Dazu Rock Carvings, Chongqing Municipality and Directorate of Archaeology & Museums, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan signed a memorandum of understanding on establishing friendly relationship and cooperation. Under this MOU, the two sides will further strengthen the exchanges and cooperation in the protection, utilization and management of cultural relics.