Splendid Leg of the Silk Road

By Wang Fengjuan

A Brunei special edition of China Report ASEAN accompanies a cultural exhibition in Bandar Seri Begawan aiming to boost Chinas ties with Brunei

Ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinpings state visit to Brunei， the Splendid Chapters of Silk Road Cultures Exhibition was launched as China Report ASEAN magazine released a special edition commemorating China-Brunei relationship in Bandar Seri Begawan， capital of Brunei Darussalam. The event was co-sponsored by the State Council Information Office （SCIO） of the Peoples Republic of China， the Ministry of Culture， Youth and Sports of Brunei and the Chinese Embassy in Brunei and co-organized by China International Publishing Group （CIPG）， Brunei Museums Department and Brunei-China Friendship Association.

Addressing the ceremony， Vice Minister of the SCIO Guo Weimin stressed that China and Brunei have been good partners and good friends. In recent years， with implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative， bilateral exchanges have become ever closer through pragmatic cooperation in various fields. President Xi Jinpings upcoming state visit to Brunei will certainly promote closer friendship between the two countries. Guo hoped the exhibition would provide an opportunity for the Bruneian people to glimpse the beautiful and idyllic landscapes of China and understand the friendship and sincerity of the Chinese people as well as the rapid and vigorous development of China.

Chinese Ambassador to Brunei Yang Jian declared that the ancient Silk Road promoted cultural exchanges and mutual understanding between different countries along the route. A fusion of the old Maritime Silk Road and the modern Silk Road spirit has injected new momentum into the friendship between China and Brunei. “We are ready to join hands with our partners to build the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road that leads to common prosperity，” Yang added.

The Splendid Chapters of Silk Road Cultures Exhibition consists of four parts： Bonds of Friendship， Along the Maritime Silk Road， People-to-People Connectivity and Uniqueness and Diversity. Nearly 100 pictures by photographers from China and Brunei showcase the beautiful scenery and cultures of both countries and tell encouraging stories about traditional friendship and exchanges between the two peoples.

One highlight of the exhibition is a demonstration and interactive experience involving Chinese intangible cultural heritage such as embroidery and porcelain. A three-meter-long scroll of hand-made embroidery featuring the national flowers of all the ASEAN member states celebrates their traditional friendship. “Mosque on the Water，” a Chinese hand embroidery art work devoted to Bruneian culture， was particularly popular. Ancient pottery and porcelain wares on display were given a modern touch with a combination of ancient skills and modern innovation. Visitors were captivated by the sophisticated art and handicrafts.

Minister of Culture， Youth and Sports of Brunei Darussalam Major General （Rtd） Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin took a close look at the contents of each exhibition area. A cloisonné painting captured his attention. When he scanned a QR code next to the painting with his mobile phone， a video clip of cloisonné production loaded. He agreed that application of this kind of technology will provide visitors better interactive experience. He expressed hope that the two sides would strengthen cooperation in promoting cultural and creative products.

At the same ceremony， distinguished guests from China and Brunei jointly unveiled the Brunei special edition of China Report ASEAN. Launched in January 2016 in Beijing， China Report ASEAN is an English monthly magazine dedicated to ASEAN readers and focused on friendly cooperation between China and ASEAN in politics， economics and trade， culture， people-to-people exchange and other areas.