Mimi Gates regularly visits Dunhuang to help with the protection of the UNESCO World Heritage site. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Good results

Over the years, Gates has also traveled to other parts of China.

According to Gates, her foundation is currently working on several different fronts, including bringing together scholars on various research aspects of Dunhuang so they can share knowledge and resources.

It is also making efforts to help the Dunhuang academy in Gansu and a group of universities to carry out training courses on conservation, such as for wall paintings.

She says the academy is wise to cooperate with international conservators and find out what the best practices are in protecting relics, and years of collaboration have given Chinese and US preservationists a lot of good results.

For example, the practices and principles developed during the joint protection project on Mogao's Cave 85, a late Tang Dynasty (618-907) gem that had deteriorated due to salts in the underlying rocks, have been included in the Principles for the Conservation of Heritage Sites in China, a set of national guidelines.

The project also led to the creation of a team whose members have participated in relic protection around China. In October, Gates received the Friendship Award from the Chinese government. The award is the highest honor given to foreigners who have made significant contribution to the country's social and economic development.

"I feel deeply honored. I think it is a wonderful form of recognition for so many people and encourages them to do more and work even harder with Chinese colleagues for the good of the Chinese people," she says.