In 2018, a Sino-Italian joint conservation laboratory was established at the Dazu academy, benefiting from a low-interest loan provided by the Italian government.

The lab introduced leading stone-relic restoration technology from Italy, Chen says. Restoring grotto temples in China also helps the Italian researchers to gain relevant experience as there are no similar grotto temples in Italy.

It is also crucial for Chinese researchers to have dialogue with those who show the most concern for the rock carvings－local residents like Luo, Chen adds.

In December, she hosted a lecture at the academy and gave a briefing of her recent work, inviting local communities to attend.

As many local villagers became migrant workers looking for better jobs in the cities, it's getting more difficult to find suitable candidates like Luo and his compatriots to join the volunteer patrols.

"But protection of the carvings still needs wider public participation," she says.