China has launched a new international working group on mural conservation standards, bringing together experts from 15 countries to strengthen global efforts to protect cultural heritage.

The International Working Group on Mural Conservation Standards, under the International Organization for Standardization Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage Conservation (ISO/TC 349), was officially established on March 26. It is led by China, with Su Bomin, director of the Dunhuang Academy, serving as convenor.

The move follows ISO's approval of the standard "Conservation of cultural heritage—Mural paintings—Classification of deterioration", the first international standard in mural conservation under its global cultural heritage framework.

Developed by experts from 11 countries, including China, the United States, Italy and France, the standard establishes a unified system to classify mural deterioration. It aims to address longstanding challenges caused by inconsistent terminology, which have hindered communication and data sharing across countries.

The framework categorizes deterioration into areas such as optical changes, physical deformation, deposits, material loss, structural damage, biological deterioration and chemical degradation, with clear definitions and visual references. It also provides a common technical language for identification, documentation, assessment and conservation decision-making.

Experts said the standard will improve the scientific and standardized level of mural investigation, monitoring and restoration, while promoting international cooperation in heritage protection.

Beyond standard-setting, China is expanding collaboration with Central Asian countries. A China–Kyrgyzstan joint laboratory on cultural heritage conservation under the Belt and Road Initiative has been established to share technologies and experience in preserving Silk Road sites.

Speaking at the laboratory's first academic committee meeting, Su said the platform will focus on heritage protection and cultural exchange, and aims to build a science and technology innovation hub for the conservation and research of ancient Silk Road murals, grottoes and earthen sites.