China is a rich resource for stone culture with millions of ornamental stone fans and rare stone collectors.

To further expand the study and research of stone culture, the "China Public Database of Stone Specimen and Culture," jointly prepared by the Stone Culture Professional Committee of the Association of Information on Chinese Culture and the Beijing HR Development Committee and approved by the Ministry of Culture, was set up in Beijing on Apr. 3rd.

The database functions as a stone culture museum, library and HR database open to stone fans from all walks of life. Its establishment will have profound value in cultivating and developing HR resources for stone culture work and benefit theoretical research into China's stone culture.

It will be a stride towards normalization, standardization and internationalization, and will provide a brand new platform for shared communication on China's stone culture.
 
(Chinanews.com April 5, 2005)