2018 Conservation and Restoration of Ancient Architectures in the Asia-Pacific Region, Advanced Training Courses for High-Level Personnel on the Evaluation and Analysis of Classical Chinese Architecture took place from December 4 to 8 in Nanjing, it marks a joint effort from WHITRAP Suzhou and the School of History of Nanjing University. Officials and experts attended the ceremony and delivered their remarks; among them are Zhou Qilin, Deputy Director of Suzhou Garden and Greening Administration, Qian Yucheng, Director of WHITRAP Suzhou, Prof. Sun Jianglin, Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of History of Nanjing University, Zhou Xueying, Professor at the School of History of Nanjing University and Director of the Institute of Oriental Architecture of Nanjing University, Ma Bingjian, Chief Editor of Ancient Building Landscape Technology magazine and former director of Beijing Institute of Ancient Architectural Design, and Wang Yuk, Director of the Institute of Cultural Relics and Architectural Protection of Beijing Institute of Architectural Design and Research and Deputy Director of the Institute of Oriental Architecture of Nanjing University.

With the theme of “Evaluation and Analysis of Classical Chinese Architecture,” this course invited prominent experts from the field of architectural history research, heritage protection of historical buildings, ancient construction renovation, design and other disciplines. Young scholars and practitioners that managed protection, renovation and research on ancient architecture were also invited to give lectures. This training aimed to help students understand and master the principles and methods of determining the age of Chinese classical architecture in World Heritage sites, appreciate the value and significance of historical architecture, and further improve their knowledge on Chinese classical architecture. During the 7-day workshop, more than 60 experts, scholars and professionals from Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Yunnan, Shaanxi, Guangdong, Shandong, Hubei and other provinces and municipalities in the ancient architecture protection field participated in the training. Participating experts engaged in in-depth discussion on ancient building technique, research methods and evaluation principles to learn more about the conservation and restoration of Chinese classical architecture.