The Office has conducted a project titled "Ancient Chinese Gold Techniques" in collaboration with the Art Museum of Chinese University of Art and Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureaus.  We studied some 20 precious pieces of gold wares from local collectors, including belt hooks, earrings and necklaces dated from the pre-Qin period to the Song Dynasty.  The project began with a literature review of the historical sources on differentiated goldsmithing techniques used in ancient China.  Supported by the evidence gathered from various non-destructive analytical methods, such as scanning electron microscopy, multispectral spectrometry and optical microscopy, we were able to identify the use of some ‘lost' goldsmithing techniques which could be dated back to the Pre-Qin period.  New discoveries including techniques of in-laying gold wires and foils were found from a Pre-Qin belt plaque and a silver inlaid belt hook from the Han Dynasty.  High magnification under microscope allowed us to study the techniques of gold granulation, soldering and gold wire production. We were also able to establish the criteria in differentiating the techniques of fire gilding and inlaying of gold, which would provide a useful reference for identification of other cultural relics in the future.  The project served as a good start in the study of inheritance of ancient Chinese goldsmithing techniques and facilitated the enhancement of professionality between academic and cultural institution in Hong Kong.