"A Journey of Knowledge - 'The Travels of Marco Polo' and its Legacy between East and West" opened to the public at the China Millennium Monument Art Museum in Beijing from July 26 to Nov 24, showcasing the historical fruits of exchanges between the West and the East.
It is one of the events to celebrate the legacy of Venetian merchant Marco Polo on the 700th anniversary of his passing, and to mark the 20th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Italy.
The exhibition showcases 135 artifacts sourced from 13 cultural institutions in Italy and two in China, including medieval parchments, oil paintings, sculptures, textiles, and weapons.
"[The exhibition] features a wide variety of items. We have detailed requirements to display them clearly in a panoramic way, revealing all parts and details. In the dimly lit galleries, visitors can enjoy the same high-level care given to the artifacts, as the temperature, humidity and lighting are all strictly controlled and monitored with data recorded every day," said Jiang Haimei, planning director of the museum, in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN).
Divided into six sections, the exhibition takes visitors along the Old Silk Road, retracing Marco Polo's journey and exploring intercultural exchanges across Eurasia from the 13th to the 19th centuries.
"Marco Polo was not only a historical figure, a traveler and a merchant, but today he is a cultural symbol that is open, inclusive, altruistic and friendly, or we can say he is an open figure. Although Marco Polo himself is not prominently featured in our exhibits - except for a few of his books and his will - his spirit runs throughout," she said.
Curators from China and Italy worked together to present the exhibition. Guicciardo Sassoli de' Bianchi Strozzi, an Italian curator, introduced one of the highlight exhibits, an ancient map, to CGTN.
"I'm pleased to talk about the Fra Mauro map that has been done in Venice in the middle of the 15th century. And that is one of the first view of the entire world made thanks to the "Il Milione" [travels] of Marco Polo. Especially there's Italy that is shown on the opposite, because at that time the maps were done in the opposite way, not like nowadays. And there is also the entire China with all the descriptions of monuments and cities on the entire China. And that is wonderful to think that from Venice we were creating an idea of China through Marco Polo. So it is a wonderful example of relations between the countries since centuries, till of course nowadays and the future," he said.
Exhibition highlights Marco Polo's legacy in East-West cultural exchange
Officials and analysts have hailed Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech at the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting for its message highlighting the importance of globalization, sustainability, inclusiveness and reciprocity.
Xi called on the Asia-Pacific region to shoulder the responsibilities of the times and jointly promote development while addressing the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in the Peruvian capital Lima on Saturday.
In his speech, Xi pointed out that over the decades, APEC has been instrumental in leading the Asia-Pacific to great success in development, prosperity and connectivity, making the region the most dynamic economy and primary engine of global economic growth.
Xi also stressed that countries in the Asia-Pacific should carry greater responsibilities on their shoulders, and act in solidarity and cooperation to meet current global challenges and start a new era in Asia-Pacific development.
The message conveyed by Xi struck a chord with many Peruvians, who noted the importance of adhering to a multilateral mindset.
"In his speech, President Xi Jinping delivered a very interesting message -- only by benefiting the world can we benefit our own country. He conveyed a vision of a shared future for humanity. Today, we must work to create well-being for everyone," said Alejandro Indacochea, a Peruvian economist.
"President Xi has put forward some ideas that are new to the APEC this time. The first one, I think, is the idea of expanding the pie, that is, more actively linking the APEC area, which is the Pacific area, with the rest of globalization. This is precisely what strengthens globalization in terms of equalizing economies so that everyone benefits," said former Peruvian Foreign Minister Hector Bejar.
"So, I think it's like you are setting examples of where your bar is within sustainability practices and how to make these truly not just economically fulfilling for both sides, but also to make it sustainable. Because that's what really will lead to future generations," said Natalia, a media professional in Peru.
"China is a very important actor and member of APEC. And I think China contributes a lot to APEC. I think that China is also a very important soci-economic partner for many of the Latin American economies. So, we really look forward to continue developing new areas of cooperation on the basis of mutual benefits with China," said Renato Reyes, Peru's senior official to APEC.
Xi put also forward three proposals in his speech, including building an open and interconnected paradigm for Asia-Pacific cooperation; making green innovation a catalyst for the Asia-Pacific; and upholding a universally beneficial and inclusive vision for Asia-Pacific development.
William Jones, the Washington bureau chief of the U.S. publication Executive Intelligence Review, highlighted Xi's emphasis on ensuring mutual benefits for all, and said these proposals can deliver positive outcomes not just for Latin America but for the whole world.
"I think they're all very good, and the third point that he made, of course, was the issue that it had to be mutually beneficial. And this of course has been always an element in China's foreign policies specifically connected to the Belt and Road Initiative, which is also gaining adherence in Latin America. And I think the presence of China in Latin America at this point has created a certain sense of optimism by 2026 that the route, the pathway that China has charted out is a successful pathway not only for China but also for the world," he said.
Xi's APEC speech hailed for safeguarding globalization, inclusiveness
