The Palace Museums on the Chinese mainland and Taiwan are to hold their first joint exhibition in 60 years to showcase cultural relics from the Qing Dynasty.

 

The Beijing-based Palace Museum and the Taipei-based Palace Museum will show nearly 250 historical documents related to the 18th century Emperor Yongzheng in Taipei.

Thirty seven of the priceless treasures of the exhibition have come from Beijing. The pieces include an imperial stone seal with the inscription "Being an emperor is difficult," and a massive portrait.

The exhibition has been long anticipated by people on both sides and it has won the Beijing museum's cooperation.

Chou Kung-Shin, director of Taipei Palace Museum, said, "We paid a visit to Beijing's Palace Museum in February. During the visit, we raised the proposal of the joint exhibition, which was accepted immediately. We received a lot of support so preparations only took seven months. "

Zheng Xinmiao, president of Beijing Palace Museum, said, "This first joint exhibition between the two museums in 60 years is significant. It marks a new start for further cooperation. It's not only an exhibition, but communication between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan."

The exhibition will run for three months from October the 17th. The Beijing museum will hold an academic seminar in October 2010 and Director Chou has been invited to attend.