The China National Silk Museum and The Commercial Press signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province, on Aug 24 and unveiled a publishing-planning center themed on the ancient Silk Road in the China National Silk Museum.

The Commercial Press, founded in Shanghai in 1897, is one of China’s oldest and most influential publishers. The China National Silk Museum, located near West Lake in Hangzhou, is the country's first-ever State-level museum specializing in silk.

According to the agreement, the two parties will cooperate to publish books and host international symposiums involving the museum's Silk Road-themed exhibitions, archeological studies of the ancient Silk Road, and the overseas promotion of China's silk culture. 

In addition, the two parties will collaborate in preserving, studying, and promoting traditional clothing, textile techniques, and cultural heritage items.

"The partnership will provide a high-quality publishing platform for Silk Road culture," said Zhao Feng, director of the China National Silk Museum.

Li Ping, general manager of The Commercial Press, said that The Commercial Press has strong ties with Zhejiang province, with two of the publisher's four founders and numerous famous editors throughout its history being Zhejiang natives. Li expressed hope that The Commercial Press will be able to delve deeper into the province's rich culture by cooperating with the museum.