A new exhibition, “Benevolence in Motion: Artifacts Donated to the Palace Museum,” opened at the Palace of Great Benevolence (Jingren gong) on Friday.

Since 2005, the Palace Museum’s Palace of Great Benevolence (Jingren gong) has served as a dedicated gallery for donated artifacts, featuring the permanent “Jingren List,” an inscription honoring its benefactors. Since 1945, more than 800 donors have contributed over 35,000 artifacts to the museum’s collection. The current display marks the tenth themed exhibition on donations held at the Palace of Great Benevolence and the 49th exhibition of its kind since the museum was founded. Featuring over 100 artifacts donated by 100 contributors, the exhibition includes gifts from notable figures such as Zheng Zhenduo and Sun Yingzhou. The showcased works span a wide range of categories, including calligraphy and paintings, ceramics, inscriptions, jade, stoneware, gold and silverware, and sculptures.

An ceremony was held Thursday, with Zheng Jianbang, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress and chairman of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, officially opening the exhibition. Distinguished guests in attendance included Wang Xudong, a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Leadership Group of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and director of the Palace Museum; Xie Bing, a member of the Party Leadership Group and deputy administrator of the National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA); Yan Xiaodong, deputy director of the Department of Public Services of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism; Zheng Yuan, representative of donor families; and Lu Yi, chief representative of the Institute for Philanthropy in the Chinese mainland. Officials from cultural institutions under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the NCHA, representatives from Beijing municipal agencies, related associations and foundations, and the Palace Museum leadership also attended the opening ceremony. The event was presided over by Du Haijiang, Party secretary and deputy director of the Palace Museum. The exhibition is exclusively sponsored by the Institute for Philanthropy.

In his speech, Wang Xudong reflected on how the museum had long benefited from the strong support of the Party and the state, as well as from the generosity of people from all walks of life. Donors have included Party and state leaders, renowned scholars and collectors, workers, farmers, overseas Chinese, international friends, and even employees of the museum. Wang said that behind every donated artifact lies a heartfelt story of devotion to preserving Chinese civilization, adding that such contributions reflect both social responsibility and selfless dedication.

Xie Bing emphasized the vital role that donations play in enriching the museum’s collection. He noted that the act of giving reflects donor’s selfless dedication, their profound love for China’s rich cultural heritage and their strong sense of responsibility. Through their generosity, donors have made invaluable contributions to the preservation and continuation of cultural heritage, helping to safeguard the nation’s history for generations to come. Xie also shared that the NCHA is currently compiling an illustrated catalog of cultural relics donated to the nation since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and is collaborating with relevant departments to improve regulations to better facilitate such donations.

Zheng Yuan, grandson of Zheng Zhenduo, the first administrator of the NCHA and a pioneer in China’s cultural heritage preservation, spoke on behalf of the donors. He said that the transformation of the Forbidden City from an imperial palace into a museum for the people is the result of generations of wisdom and passion. He added that these predecessors donated their treasured collections to the state out of pure love for Chinese culture and their selfless devotion to making private treasures serve the public good will long be remembered. These relics are not only family memories and national treasures, but also bridges linking the past and the future, Zheng said.

Lu Yi said the exhibition is part of a five-year partnership with the Palace Museum aimed at promoting traditional Chinese culture and cultivating professionals with both artistic and technological expertise. The selected 100 artifacts (both pieces and sets), celebrate the richness of Chinese civilization and the spirit of selfless contribution shared by its donors, he said.

Focusing on the people, the artifacts, and the spirit of generosity they represent, the exhibition is divided into three sections: “Honoring The Names,” “Recognizing Their Contributions,” and “Celebrating The Virtue.” It presents the stories of donors, the value of their donated artifacts, and the enduring legacy of generosity they represent. The exhibition aims to present the profound significance and diverse value of donated cultural relics from multiple perspectives, guiding visitors to explore the stories behind these treasures and calling on the public to join in the effort to protect cultural heritage.

The first section, “Honoring The Names,” occupies the front hall of the Palace of Great Benevolence and features four subsections: “Leading by Example,” “Devotion to the Nation,” “Boundless Generosity,” and “Dedication to the Forbidden City.” It shines a light on some of the donors, among them national leaders, distinguished scholars, compatriots from Hong Kong and Macao, and Taiwan, as well as overseas Chinese, international friends, and Palace Museum staff, all of whom have safeguarded cultural treasures with their selfless spirit.

The second section “Recognizing Their Contributions,” located on the east side of the rear hall of the Palace of Great Benevolence. It features three subsections: “Returning Lost Treasures,” “Enriching the Collection,” and “Continuing the Legacy.” The section explores how donations have helped recover lost imperial artifacts, fill gaps in the museum’s collection, and extend its historical narratives. Through the generosity of its donors, the Palace Museum has gradually developed a collection system that fully traces the historical evolution of major categories of cultural relics.

The west wing of the rear hall of the Palace of Great Benevolence houses the third section, “Celebrating the Virtue,” which includes two subsections: “Benevolent Hearts and Noble Deeds” and “Engraved in Memory.” This area features five handwritten letters and three heartfelt messages from donors alongside their donated artifacts, highlighting their noble character and selfless acts. It also displays exhibitions and catalogs published by the Palace Museum in honor of these donors, expressing gratitude and the commitment to carry forward the spirit of donation.

Due to space limitations, not all donors and donated artifacts can be individually presented in the exhibition. Instead, a representative selection offers a glimpse into the whole, reflecting the breadth of contributions made over the years. The Palace Museum, however, extends the same deep gratitude and respect to every donor.

Given the preservation requirements of the historic venue, certain replicas will be displayed to ensure the safety of the artifacts. In addition, some original pieces will be replaced with replicas on Nov. 3 and Dec. 10. The detailed replacement schedule is as follows: