Shan Jixiang, former director and curator of the Palace Museum, has been hired as Palace Museum Research Institute chief, one month after his retirement.

Wang Xudong (left), current director of the Palace Museum, hands the offer letter, dated May 6, to Shan Jixiang, on May 8, 2019. (Photo: Palace Museum)

Wang Xudong, current director of the Palace Museum, on Wednesday handed the offer letter, dated May 6, to Shan.

According to a Palace Museum statement, Shan retired April 8 and was succeeded by Wang, former director of the Dunhuang Academy.

Shan is well known for his innovative changes to the Palace Museum, such as the introduction of a light show during the Lantern Festival.

By the end of 2018 over 80 percent of the Forbidden City had opened to visitors, compared with only 52 percent in 2014.

The Palace Museum established the Palace Museum Research Institute in November 2013 as an unincorporated organization for scholarly inquiry and exchange.

The institute includes Palace Museum Institute researchers, scholars in the Palace Museum, and other Chinese and international scholars, all coming together in an atmosphere of open scholarly exchange.

With a sustainable approach, the academy seeks to lead in scholarly development, formulate research strategies, evaluate scholarly writings, realize Palace Museum research goals, train talent, publish quality material, and conduct international academic exchange.