A foreign model poses in front of the Confucius statue in the Nanjing Museum during a commercial event held on April 24, 2016. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

The curator of Nanjing Museum has been suspended for improperly lending the facility to a property developer for a promotional event.

Nanjing municipal authorities made the announcement in an official statement online on Sunday night.

According to the rules, any non-museum related activities should be reported to the authorities. City officials say on this occasion the museum failed to do so.

The event, held at the Chaotian Temple on April 24, was reportedly held in an open area in front of the building and lasted about an hour. Some 500 people were in attendance with 200 others keeping order.

Sources say there were various cultural performances, and an appearance by popular action star Jacky Chan.

The Beijing News quotes sources close to the property developer as saying the company had previously contacted the museum and informed the public security department.

The Nanjing Museum was China's first comprehensive museum built with government funds. The design and construction dates back to the 1930s.

The story has sparked heated debate online.

Some have questioned whether it's acceptable to hold commercial events inside such a key protected museum, as cultural relics inside could get damaged.

There are others, however, who believe museums should take up such opportunities, creating social and economic benefits, to support their development rather than relying alone on government funding and charities.