Participants exchange ideas at the conference in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. [Photo/WeChat account: icaves]

An international academic conference on ancient history was held at the National Library of the Kyrgyz Republic from Feb 26 to 27, where experts from the Dunhuang Academy shared their experience in heritage conservation.

The event brought together archaeologists and historians from multiple countries to discuss ancient urban sites, Central Asian civilizations, and cultural heritage preservation.

A four-member delegation from the Dunhuang Academy, led by Pei Qiangqiang, head of the Maijishan Grottoes Art Institute, attended upon invitation.

Pei delivered a presentation on the "Dunhuang experience" in conserving cave temples and earthen structures along the Silk Road, and reported on recent collaborative achievements in heritage protection between Chinese and Kyrgyzstani institutions.

During the conference, Kyrgyz Deputy Minister of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy Askaraly Madaminov met with the delegation and praised the progress of the China-Kyrgyzstan joint laboratory for cultural heritage protection under the Belt and Road Initiative.

The gathering adopted a resolution emphasizing the importance of continued international cooperation through the joint laboratory platform.

Following the conference, experts from both countries conducted field surveys at the Tash Rabat and Koshoi Korgon sites in Kyrgyzstan's Naryn region and provided recommendations for their preservation and restoration.