A delegation from the French National Museum of Natural History led by Professor Yves Girault visited Tai'an Museum and the Mount Taishan Global Geopark Museum on March 24 to exchange experience of museum operation and management.

The delegation was welcomed by Wan Qinghai, head of the Party Working Committee of the Mount Tai Management Committee. The two sides presented books to each other and had a broad and in-depth discussion on the construction and operation of geological parks and museums worldwide as well as related scientific research work.

A delegation from the French National Museum of Natural History led by Professor Yves Girault visit Tai'an on March 24 to experience the city's geopark and museum. [Photo/Wechat: hitaishan]

Girault said that his team had been to six related geoparks and museums in cities such as Dali in Yunnan province and Yibin in Sichuan province. Mount Tai was the final stop for his group in China.

Girault is also the leader of the European Geoparks, a project that explores and studies geoparks and museums around the globe. He described the situation of geoparks in Europe and China with different historical and cultural backgrounds, as well as the connections between geological heritages and heritages of other types.

The French National Museum of Natural History delegation visits the Mount Taishan Global Geopark Museum on March 24. [Photo/Wechat: hitaishan]

Wan said that the implementation of the national geopark project in 2000 set off a geopark construction boom in the country. With value in scientific research, education, economic development and tourism, the construction of geoparks has proved popular in China in recent years.

Mount Tai is the first site in China to appear on the World Natural and Cultural Heritage list and is also a world geopark. The Tai'an Museum and the Mount Taishan Global Geopark Museum are located at the Dai Temple Scenic Area on Mount Tai.

Girault praised the Mount Taishan Global Geopark after his visit, saying it is a perfect combination of culture and natural landscape. "I saw quite a legacy of history and culture and great natural beauty on Mount Tai in the short one-day stay," he said. He hopes to further strengthen exchanges with the Tai'an Museum and the Mount Taishan Global Geopark.

Professor Yves Girault is impressed by Mount Tai's rich natural cultural heritage. [Photo/Wechat: hitaishan]

Founded in 1793 during the French Revolution, the French National Museum of Natural History owns one of the world's largest natural history collections. It has made discovering, understanding, highlighting and helping to protect the Earth’s natural and cultural diversity the central objective of its activities. It currently has 14 sites throughout France, with four in Paris.