National Museum of China

　　The National Museum of China was officially established on February 28, 2003, and is directly under the Ministry of Culture. It was built on the foundation of the former National Museum of Chinese History and the National Museum of Chinese Revolution, and is a comprehensive museum primarily focused on history and art, systematically showcasing the long and rich cultural history of the Chinese nation.

　　The predecessor of the National Museum of Chinese History was the “Preparatory Office of the National Museum of History,” established on July 9, 1912. On October 1, 1949, the same day as the founding of the People’s Republic of China, it was renamed the “National Beijing History Museum” and came under the administration of the Ministry of Culture of the Central People’s Government. In 1959, it was renamed the “National Museum of Chinese History.”

　　The predecessor of the National Museum of Chinese Revolution was the “Preparatory Office of the National Museum of Revolution,” established in March 1950. It was officially named the “National Museum of Chinese Revolution” in 1960.

　　In August 1959, the building housing both museums, located on the east side of Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, was completed. On October 1 of the same year, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, it began receiving visitors.

　　The National Museum of China officially began its renovation and expansion project in 2004, with plans to complete it by the end of 2007. After the renovation, the museum’s floor space will increase from the current 65,000 square meters to 150,000 square meters. All facilities will be further improved, upgraded, and modernized. Whether in terms of cultural relics collection, exhibition scale, hardware facilities, or staffing, it will reach a level and scale befitting its status. The National Museum of China will be developed into an internationally advanced museum that matches the long and splendid civilization of the Chinese nation.

　　The National Museum of China integrates the collection, archaeology, preservation, research, and exhibition of cultural relics. It systematically collects precious artifacts reflecting ancient, modern, and contemporary Chinese history, and through permanent basic exhibitions and various thematic displays, it comprehensively showcases and promotes the great historical journey and splendid culture of the Chinese nation to domestic and international audiences, while also introducing world civilizations and outstanding cultures. Through high-level research in history, archaeology, cultural relic studies, and museology, it continuously enriches and deepens people’s understanding and awareness of history and culture, and promotes the development of the museum sector. The museum will also become an important venue in the capital’s central area for the public to enjoy high-quality cultural experiences.