An exhibition of Afghan cultural relics at the Tsinghua University Art Museum in Beijing in April 2019 Photo: VCG

The Palace Museum in Beijing published on its official website on Tuesday a proposal to promote the joint protection of Afghan cultural heritage, signed by 21 famous academics from China and abroad. The proposal calls for international attention and support to the present situation of Afghan cultural heritage and local cultural experts.

The proposal praises Afghanistan's rich cultural heritages which is also a treasure for humanity and needs to be protected by the world.

"Due to the recent turbulent situation of the country, Afghan cultural heritage has sparked concerns among international museology experts," the proposal said, adding that "we keep conserving and researching world cultural heritage and caring about the protection of cultural relics at risk. We call on the Afghan authority to strengthen the protection of cultural heritage from any damage."

The proposal also highlights the itinerant exhibition of Afghan precious cultural relics that has been showcased in China since 2017, allowing the Chinese people learn about how marvelous the country's traditional culture is.

Many of on the signatories of the proposal are curators of important museums around the world, including Wang Xudong, curator of the Palace Museum, Wang Chunhai, head of the National Museum of China, Alex Nyerges, curator of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and Jebrael Nokandeh, head of National Museum of Iran.

The proposal was signed amid the 39th anniversary of the signing of the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.