In the new era, the NMC, standing on the height of its historical mission, has reviewed the importance of archeology in Xinjiang, reoriented its work of archeology, and set up under its Academy of Archeology the Institute of Archeology in Ethnic and Border Areas that is mainly charged with carrying out archaeological surveys, investigations, excavation and research in border areas and beyond, and searching for evidence that illustrates cultural interaction between the East and the West as well as the formation and evolution of the ancient Silk Road.