SINGAPORE: Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo said
Singapore has made much progress in promoting its heritage over the
past 20 years.
Mr Yeo said this at the launch of a Tang Dynasty
archaeological exhibition at Marina Bay Sands.
The exhibition is jointly organised by the Singapore
Tourism Board (STB), the Asian Civilisations Museum, National
Heritage Board, the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery and Smithsonian
Institution.
A gold cup, worth 10 years' pay of a low-ranking official during
the Tang dynasty, was among about 60,000 artefacts on display at
the exhibition - Shipwrecked: Tang Treasures and Monsoon
Winds.
The exhibition is one of the most important marine archaeological
finds of the late 20th century and is sitting at the premier
modern-day ArtScience Museum.
Its presence here is a testament to Singapore's appreciation of
history.
"Heritage activities in Singapore have grown a lot in the last
twenty years. The intellectualism that accompanies it has also
grown. There are so many experts around now in different subjects
and our museums have become important museums in a global network
of museums. And we are learning from one another," said Mr
Yeo.
The collection of trade goods also has special significance for
Singaporeans.
Aw Kah Peng, Chief Executive of the STB, said: "The public can
expect to see an amazing show because in our view, it has never
been shown before. It will help them to see a different
perspective, to what trade was like at that time of the world. It
is going to be a remarkable learning journey for many of us."
The exhibition will run from February 19 to July 31.
Singapore is the first stop of a world tour that is expected to
conclude in 2015.
-CNA/ac