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