Donations boost Dunhuang Grottoes conservation efforts

LANZHOU, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- The China Dunhuang Grottoes Conservation Research Foundation has received 210 million yuan (about 30 million U.S. dollars) in donations over the past 30 years. These donations have been crucial for the preservation of the UNESCO World Heritage site in northwest China's Gansu Province.

Donors include individuals, enterprises and groups from home and abroad, reflecting growing public enthusiasm for protecting Dunhuang's heritage, Yang Xiuqing, director of the foundation, said at a forum marking the foundation's 30th anniversary held on Sunday.

Notably, Fan Jinshi, honorary president of the Dunhuang Academy, donates 10,000 yuan from her salary each year. In 2023, she made a significant contribution of 10 million yuan from an award she received.

The foundation has funded nearly 100 projects in cave conservation, archiving, environmental protection and digital documentation. It has also sponsored international academic exchanges and research in Dunhuang studies.

In recent years, it supported Silk Road research, helping send Chinese scholars to countries like Afghanistan and Iran. Afghan conservators were invited to study in China, while exhibitions were held in Germany, France and Uzbekistan.

"The foundation connects the public with Dunhuang culture. We hope more people will appreciate Dunhuang culture and support its preservation," said Su Bomin, director of the Dunhuang Academy.