UAE's national museum highlights Sino-Arab links, cultural exchanges

Historical exchanges between China and the Arab world have profoundly fostered mutual understanding between East and West, and the wisdom gleaned from this process offers practical insights for civilizations to engage harmoniously, says a senior official from the United Arab Emirates.

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism, made the remarks as the Zayed National Museum — the UAE's national museum — opened to the public on Wednesday, one day after the country's 54th National Day.

Located in Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat Cultural District, the warm-white museum was designed by Pritzker Prize laureate Norman Foster, with five steel towers modeled on falcon wings — a symbol of Emirati tradition.

The museum guides visitors through 300,000 years of archaeological discoveries, showcasing more than 1,500 artifacts — from a reconstructed 18-meter Magan boat made with 4,000-year-old techniques and materials, to an 8,000-year-old burial site and one of the world's oldest natural pearls.

"This is a national museum of the UAE's history, both as a nation and a land," Mubarak said. "Bridging past, present and future, it will shape how we understand our evolving cultural narrative. When we speak of our modern history and diplomatic journeys, it is from the UAE's perspective … not others."

Among the exhibits is a glazed Longquan celadon dish from the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). Similar fragments were unearthed during a 2017 joint excavation by Beijing's Palace Museum and Ras Al Khaimah's Department of Antiquities and Museums. Since then, more than 4,500 pieces of Chinese ceramics spanning the Tang to Qing dynasties (618-1911) have been found.

Also on display is a blue-and-white porcelain dish and matching fragments from Ras Al Khaimah. The museum said the floral motifs are typical of the Xuande period — the peak of Chinese porcelain production during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

"The UAE deeply values China's global historical significance," Mubarak said. "We cannot tell the story of world history without integrating China's narrative."

Situated on the ancient Silk Road, the UAE has long bridged East and West, he said. "Ancient trade routes linked this region to Mesopotamia, China, India and beyond, fostering the fusion of diverse cultures."

Under the Belt and Road Initiative, cultural exchanges between China and the UAE have flourished. Mubarak reaffirmed his country's commitment to collaborating with Chinese institutions to explore historical ties and advocate civilizational coexistence.

"All civilizations can thrive in peace and shared prosperity. Moving forward, we will continue to leverage exhibitions as a platform to strengthen our cultural bonds," he said.