Asean@50 exhibition in Bandar Seri Begawan provides opportunity for China to display one of its most famous traditional art forms

“I hope this exhibition will be an opportunity for the Bruneian people to gain a better understanding of ASEAN’s history and its future，” said Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd Yusof， Brunei’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade， at the opening ceremony of the Asean@50 exhibition.

The Asean@50 exhibition was launched at the International Convention Centre （ICC） in Bandar Seri Begawan， Brunei’s capital， on Aug. 12. The exhibition was organized by Brunei’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade， in cooperation with the embassies and the high commissions of ASEAN member states and dialogue partners in Brunei. The objective of the exhibition is to display ASEAN’s past and present， as well as its relations with other countries.

Chinese Ambassador to Brunei Yang Jian， Secretary General of the ASEAN-China Center （ACC） Yang Xiuping and ASEAN diplomats in Brunei attended the exhibition.

Chinese Silk Embroidery

The China Themed Exhibition was sponsored by the ACC and the Chinese Embassy in Brunei， and organized by the Suzhou Huohong Culture Communication Company. With the theme of “Ancient Silk Road， Chinese Silk Embroidery”， the exhibition displayed China’s unique embroidery culture.

Embroidery artists demonstrated the delicate technique behind this particular art form， attracting a large number of visitors with their exquisite embroidery work.

Fleet of Peace and Friendship and Eternal Blossom are the two most important embroidery works at the exhibition， according to Wu Xian of the Suzhou culture company.

“Fleet of Peace and Friendship was inspired by Zheng He’s voyages to the western seas，” Wu said. “Zheng He [1371-1433] was a celebrated envoy of peace. We hope this piece will send our ASEAN friends a message of peace and friendship. Eternal Blossom freezes beautiful flowers in ice to keep them fresh and beautiful， a metaphor that in today’s context applies to advocating for environmental protection.”

Traditional Chinese silk embroidery has evolved， and its modern version incorporates new techniques. It has integrated the essence of painting and calligraphy， vividly depicting not only the charm of traditional Chinese culture， but also the creative crafts of other countries. The latest Chinese silk embroidery works have become an important bridge of communication connecting Chinese culture with the world.

As a folk culture organization dedicated to the promotion of Chinese silk embroidery， the Suzhou Huohong Culture Communication Company displayed embroidery art works， embroidered articles for daily use and embroidered home decorations at the exhibition.

Fragrant Flowers on the Silk Road

At the exhibition， an elegant Chinese calligraphy which read， “Peace is valuable on a sea without surging waves， and prosperity will be accompanied by fragrant flowers along the Silk Road”， was on display. It is a couplet created by Lu Cairong， Vice President of China International Publishing Group （CIPG） and a member of the Chinese Calligraphers Association， in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of ASEAN.

“‘A sea without surging waves’ is a Chinese idiom， meaning that the sea is calm and the world is peaceful， indicating an environment conducive to economic and trade exchanges between countries，” Lu said. “In this context， I’m referring to the environment of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. ‘Peace is valuable’ is an important traditional Chinese concept. The Chinese people have always cherished the concept of peaceful coexistence. I think this concept remains relevant in the implementation of the Belt and Road， and we should adhere to this concept to achieve common prosperity. ‘Fragrant flowers on the Silk Road’ embodies our wishes for a harmonious world.”

Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Erywan spoke highly of the China Themed Exhibition. He also thanked China for its support with this Asean@50 exhibition.

Also at the exhibition was a three-meter-long scroll called Along the River During the Qingming Festival， as well as a scroll of the national flowers of ASEAN countries created by embroidery artists with the support of Shu Qin， a Chinese painting master. Four embroidery artists performed live demonstrations.

After the exhibition， the Chinese artists were scheduled to visit the Brunei Arts Handicraft Centre for a cultural exchange program.