Spreading its wings

The ongoing exhibition at Kulangsu gallery in Xiamen, the Palace Museum's first satellite gallery, showcases many artifacts ranging from antique clocks and scientific instruments to enamel pieces and porcelain.

Puyi was allowed to reside in the Forbidden City even after the monarchy fell. But as he was driven out in 1924, Puyi left many of his belongings in the palace, and more than 1,300 items still survive today.

Meanwhile, Ren Wanping, head of the gallery in Xiamen, says that some of the exhibits, like paintings and textiles, will be replaced after three months, as the humid and hot climate in Xiamen could affect them.

As for the precautions taken to preserve the artifacts, she says that equipment has been installed in the gallery to maintain a constant temperature and humidity.

A monitoring system there has been connected with the central network of the Palace Museum to ensure the safety of the cultural relics, and only up to 2,800 visitors will be allowed to enter the gallery daily.

With regard to managing of the gallery, Ren says: "We will train people in Xiamen, and gradually transfer daily management to them."

Separately, the museum director says that a permanent gallery for foreign artifacts will be set up in the Forbidden City.

"A research institution specializing in foreign artifacts will be established in our museum by the end of May," he adds.