The modern conservation of Dunhuang's Mogao Caves began with a discovery in Paris. In 1935, Chinese painter Chang Shuhong found an album of the Dunhuang Caves at a bookstall. The artworks within captivated him.

Chang visited the Guimet Museum to witness more Dunhuang pieces collected by French Sinologist Paul Pelliot. These masterpieces, created centuries before the Renaissance, left a profound impression on him.

Chang returned to China and reached Dunhuang in 1943, establishing its first conservation body the following year.

Academic exchanges between China and France in Dunhuang studies have a long history. Chinese scholars visited France as early as the 1920s, fostering mutual progress. French sinologists later established research units welcoming Chinese participation.

In the 1980s, Chinese scholars intensified research through the newly established Dunhuang Academy while maintaining international cooperation.

Recent decades saw collaboration expand into cultural exhibitions in France. Digital preservation became another key area of cooperation. Following pioneer Fan Jinshi's vision, the Digital Dunhuang project has documented nearly 300 caves.

France remains an essential partner. Major developments include the French National Library providing digital manuscripts in 2015 and the Guimet Museum signing a new collaboration memorandum with the Dunhuang Academy in 2024.

The recent Digital Library Cave platform launch marks another step forward in digitally reuniting cultural relics globally.

This enduring partnership, spanning 90 years since that Parisian discovery, continues to foster China-French cooperation in preserving world cultural heritage.