This partnership reached a significant milestone in 2012, when the museums commemorated their 10th anniversary of the exchange agreement with reciprocal exhibitions, showcasing Silla Kingdom artifacts from South Korea to audiences in Xi'an, and presenting Shaanxi relics in Gyeongju.

"In selecting the exhibits, we mainly chose artifacts from the same historical period in both countries, with the goal of demonstrating the long-standing cultural exchanges between the two sides," Liu said. "The exhibition in Gyeongju was a sensation, attracting more than 160,000 visitors in just two months."

In more than 20 years of collaboration, staff members from both museums have exchanged regular visits and shared expertise in museum management, academic research and conservation science, he said.

"We are now in the process of renewing our exchange agreement with Gyeongju. I hope the collaboration between the two museums, and even the cities of Xi'an and Gyeongju, will deepen beyond our existing exchanges. China and South Korea have extensive historical and cultural ties. Increased exchanges lead to greater understanding and reduce the chance of misunderstandings," said Liu, who is also secretary-general of the Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Association.