BEIJING - The palace museums on both sides of the Taiwan Straits are planning to jointly mark the 90th anniversary of the Beijing-based museum next year, said a mainland spokesman on Wednesday.

The Beijing Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, plans to hold seminars and exhibitions along with Taipei's Palace Museum, said Ma Xiaoguang of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office at a press conference.

They may also carry out joint research on bronzeware and jointly hold an exhibition of paintings of Italian Jesuit Giuseppe Castiglione, who spent more than 50 years in China in the 18th century, according to Ma.

First ladies visit Forbidden City	Taipei museum receives more mainland visitors