New chief entered Palace Museum (2)

Pan also said Zheng helped improve the transparency of the museum during his term.

During Zheng's time in office, the museum's collection was thoroughly catalogued and found to contain a total of 1,807,558 million relics, Pan said.

That was an improvement from what was earlier stated: "an ambiguous estimate" of 1.5 million.

Shan, the incoming director, has rich experience and expertise in protecting relics, Pan said, adding that his background will help with the ongoing renovation of the museum, which will be completed in 2020.

According to earlier reports, the project, which covers the Forbidden City and nearby buildings, was launched in 2002.

The first phase included the central axis that runs north to south through the heart of Beijing, linking a number of historical sites, including the Palace Museum, Tian'anmen Square and the Temple of Heaven.

Beijing has applied for the area to be listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.