New research center to promote study on Yuanmingyuan

A new research center was established at Beijing Foreign Studies University on Monday to promote global studies on Yuanmingyuan, or the Old Summer Palace in Beijing.

The center was set up by BFSU and the administration of the Yuanmingyuan Ruins Park.

According to the agreement, it will be devoted to better share the results of the studies of Yuanmingyuan's history in multiple languages, collect academic files and documents from overseas, and nurture scientific research projects under the new framework.

Yuanmingyuan was a huge imperial resort for Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) rulers. It was not only a significant ancient Chinese garden, but the place for emperors to often handle state affairs.

Yuanmingyuan was sacked and burnt by invading Anglo-French alliance forces in 1860 and gradually fell into disrepair.

"The center is to boost academic research," Li Bo, the director of the administration of the Yuanmingyuan Ruins Park, said. "It will help Yuanmingyuan to better known by the world."

He also think that in-depth studies of the ruins and its historical values will promote patriotism in society.

Earlier this year, the administration of the park signed agreements with Beijing Jiaotong University and Tianjin University to establish research centers to study the garden construction and architecture of Yuanmingyuan.