On 1 February 2024, H.E. Ambassador Zheng Zeguang and his wife Counsellor Hua Mei attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition Zimingzhong: Clockwork Treasures from China’s Forbidden City co-organized by the Palace Museum and the Science Museum, and Ambassador Zheng Zeguang delivered remarks at invitation. Ms Zhu Hongwen, Deputy Director of the Palace Museum, Sir Tim Laurence, Chairman of the Science Museum Group, and Sir Ian Blatchford, Director of the Science Museum Group, along with more than 150 guests from the Chinese and British museum communities, also attended the event.

Ambassador Zheng warmly congratulated the successful opening of the Zimingzhong exhibition and expressed sincere gratitude to the Palace Museum and the Science Museum Group for their long-term commitment to promoting cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and the UK. He pointed out that exchange and mutual learning among civilisations is an important force for the progress of human society. In March last year, President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Civilisation Initiative, which calls for cultural exchanges, mutual learning and inclusiveness. This joint exhibition between the two museums is a vivid example of the Initiative in action.

Ambassador Zheng pointed out that both China and the UK have a splendid history of science and culture, and both have made important contributions to the progress of human civilisations. The scientific and cultural exchanges between the two sides also go back a long time. And both sides have benefited tremendously from such exchanges in terms of enhancing mutual understanding and boosting their respective scientific and cultural development. The 23 resplendent treasures from the Forbidden City on display at the Science Museum are outstanding representations of the clockwork 300 years ago. They are also the crystallisaiton of scientific and artistic exchanges between the East and the West. Some of them were produced in the UK, and some in China, but their styles and craftsmanship borrowed from, blended with and complemented each other, and all of them are rare treasures. They will continue to inspire scientists and artisans of our times to pursue excellence in their research and development. They will also spur more institutions of the two countries to engage in exchanges and cooperation.

Ambassador Zheng said that the Chinese Embassy in the UK will strengthen communication and collaboration with cultural institutions of both countries, and support them in conducting more joint exhibitions and exchanges to further enhance mutual understanding and friendship between Chinese and British people.

Ms Zhu Hongwen, Sir Tim Laurence, and Sir Ian Blatchford also made remarks at the opening ceremony.

In the evening after the event, the Science Museum held the third Chinese New Year Lates in celebration of the Lunar New Year with all the guests.