(Beijing) – Chinese experts will participate in the restoration of France’s Notre-Dame cathedral, state media reported, following a meeting between the two countries’ heads of state in Beijing.
The 850-year-old cathedral — which was scarred in April after a fire tore through its roof and toppled its spire — was the most visited historic monument in Europe. Since the blaze that took 400 firefighters to control, Chinese and French authorities have been in touch about cooperating on restoration efforts, official news agency Xinhua said.
“China has a great deal of experience in renovating ancient buildings affected by fire, especially ones made of wood,” said Chai Xiaoming, the director of the Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage, in an interview with state-run China Daily.