"Chinese Style-An Antique Exhibition of the Han Dynasty of China" Inaugurated in France
President Xi Jinping and President François Hollande Inscribe Prefaces
On October 22 local time, the "Chinese Style-An Antique Exhibition of the Han Dynasty of China" was inaugurated at the Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts of France. President Xi Jinping and President François Hollande of France respectively inscribed a preface for the exhibition, and jointly held the post of guardians.
Xi Jinping said in the preface that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relationship between China and France. President Hollande and I decided that the two counties jointly hold a series of celebrations so as to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples. The "Chinese Style-An Antique Exhibition of the Han Dynasty of China" held at the Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts of France is an important program among those celebrations.
Xi Jinping pointed out that the Han dynasty was an era of great significance in the Chinese history, extending over 400 years since its establishment in 206BC and leaving splendid legacies for the treasure bank of Chinese civilization. The exhibition will showcase more than 450 exquisite antiques from 27 museums of China, representing the colorful social life in the Chinese Han dynasty from multiple perspectives and passing down the crystallization of Chinese wisdom continuously created by the Chinese nation. Through this precious legacy of Chinese culture, French and other European audiences can understand the historical inheritance of Chinese civilization more vividly.
Xi Jinping pointed out that since the establishment of the diplomatic relationship between China and France, the two countries and the two peoples have been going along with each other for 50 years. During my visit to France this March, President Hollande and I unanimously decided for the two sides to jointly open up a new era of the close and enduring China-France comprehensive strategic partnership.
Xi Jinping pointed out that more than 2,000 years ago, the Chinese people realized the principle that "it is an objective fact that all things are different from one another". China and France are respectively significant representatives of Eastern and Western civilizations. The two countries enhancing exchanges and mutual learning of civilization is helpful in consolidating the public opinion basis of China-France relations, conducive to promoting the splendor of both the Chinese and French cultures, and contributive to the diversified development of world civilizations.
President Hollande said in the preface that China is a country with great civilization, and it is the common aspiration of the top leaders of the two countries to hold the "Chinese Style-An Antique Exhibition of the Han Dynasty of China" at the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relationship between the two countries. The magnum opus of France's Impressionism and the exquisite exhibits housed in the five major museums will also be displayed in China for a year. These cultural activities have offered opportunities to highlight the quality and vitality of the bilateral exchanges, and promoted the level of exchanges in various fields such as culture, tourism, economy, science and education.
This exhibition was co-sponsored by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage of China and the Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts of France. It was the largest display of China's antiques held in France since China and France had held Cultural Year in each other's country. Exhibited were delicate antiques from nine provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities of China.