For example, Nasrin Belali, an exhibition curator from the National Museum of Afghanistan, chose to take a glass jar that was unearthed along the route of the Silk Road, as well as a Buddhist statue. "We have a long and good relationship with China thanks to the Silk Road, which means our cultures are related," she said.

The Afghan museum's Bactrian Gold collection-a hoard of gold ornaments from the first century BC to the first century AD-has toured Chinese museums since 2017, reflecting the ancient culture of the country, which is a mix of East and West.

Kennie Ting, director of the Asian Civilisations Museum in Singapore, noted that some exhibited porcelains from his museum were originally from China. "We'd like to show ancient maritime trade and our connection with China," he said.

[email protected]