An exhibition commemorating the 620 years of Admiral Cheng Ho's voyage will officially open on Friday (7/11) at the lobby of Fine Arts and Ceramics Museum, Jalan Poskota, Pinangsia, West Jakarta.

"Kita pamerkan 50 koleksi unggulan dari China dan Indonesia."

The exhibition, marking one of the key moments of China-Indonesia cultural exchange, kicked off with a Coffee Morning at the venue which attended by Jakarta Vice Governor Rano Karno.

According to Rano, the month-long exhibition which runs until Monday (8/11) and carries the theme "Miles Apart, Close at Heart", reflects a spirit of collaboration as well as the historical and modern ties between the two nations.

He hopes this exhibition will strengthen long-term relations between Indonesia and China and deepen cross-cultural understanding through artistic knowledge.

"We are pleased to collaborate with the Shanghai Art Collection Museum, one of the largest museums in Shanghai," he expressed.

Rano expressed hope that the partnership would pave the way for a sister museum collaboration between the Jakarta Government and the Shanghai Art Collection Museum, adding that in the coming years, Jakarta could also host an exhibition at the museum in Shanghai.

"But of course, it requires long-term planning. I hope that in 2027, to mark Jakarta's 500th anniversary, we can hold an exhibition in Shanghai," he uttered.

Head of Jakarta Culture Agency, Mochammad Miftahulloh Tammary, noted that the exhibition also commemorates 75 years of diplomatic relations between China and Indonesia, 70 years since the Asia-Afrika Conference in Bandung, and five years of Shanghai–Jakarta sister city partnership.

He explained that the exhibition is divided into four main themes. The first, Maritime Glory, the Grand Voyage which highlights the scale, ambition, and routes of Admiral Cheng Ho's expeditions.

The second, Fleet's Legacy: Maritime Silk Road, explores trade networks and cultural interactions along the ancient route.

The third, Cultural Treasures: Dialogue Between Civilizations, features artifacts, ideas, and traditions born from cultural exchange.

Lastly, Carrying the Spirit, Guiding the Future, reflects how Cheng Ho's legacy continues to inspire Indonesia-China relations today and looks ahead to future cooperation.

"We are showcasing 50 highlight collections from China and Indonesia, including treasure ship diagrams, celestial navigation maps, maritime maps, Ming Dynasty stone inscriptions, as well as porcelain and pottery," he said.