As one way of making some amends for that, the exhibition takes visitors back to the war years, using pictures and words to revive memories of the Chinese workers' often heroic deeds.

In an opening ceremony, Ning Yi, deputy curator of Overseas Chinese History Museum of China, said: "These workers constitute a very special group, making a contribution and sacrifices during World War I that are indelible. This exhibition honors their memory.

"The year of 2024 marks the 110th anniversary of the outbreak of the World War I and the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-France diplomatic ties. The story of the Chinese workers in World War I reminds us to cherish today's peaceful times and to do all we can to build a better world."

Feng Shangwei, director of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of Shandong Provincial People's Government, said the exhibition aims to show respect for history, allowing it to illuminate the present, shed light on the future and promote the ethos of Chinese workers.