Splendid history

Another sign of close ties with China is that the Science Museum recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the China National Space Administration, which it hopes will result in some Chinese space program artifacts being added to its already extensive space collection.

Speaking at the exhibition's opening ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang said the pieces were a demonstration of the "splendid history of science and culture" of both countries, which had made important contributions to the progress of human civilization.

"Both sides have benefited tremendously from such exchanges in terms of enhancing mutual understanding and boosting their respective scientific and cultural development," he continued.

The exhibition pieces, he said, are "the crystallization of scientific and artistic exchanges between the East and the West", and their styles "borrowed from, blended with, and complemented each other".

They would continue to inspire contemporary scientists and artisans, he added, and "they will also spur more institutions of the two countries to engage in exchanges and cooperation".

There is no set ticket price to enter the exhibition, but people are asked to pay what they can afford, and Desborough said she hoped visitors will take away not only an appreciation of the artistry and effort involved in making such fine pieces, but also an increased awareness of the times in which they were made, and the relationship between their countries of origin and destination.

"The exhibition covers three centuries of meetings between China and Britain, which was a very special time in the history of both countries," she said. "There was a real exchange of goods, technology and culture going on in that time, so I hope people will take that knowledge away with them."

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