To mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Thailand, the Palace Museum and the Fine Arts Department of Thailand’s Ministry of Culture are proud to present “Golden Friendship, Shared Brilliance: A Special Exhibition Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Thai-Chinese Diplomatic Relations.” The exhibition opened at the Hall of Literary Brilliance (Wenhua dian) of the Palace Museum on Tuesday and will run until February 24, 2026. Bringing together more than 240 cultural relics from both countries, the exhibition offers a panoramic view of the centuries-long exchange between China and Thailand.

China and Thailand enjoy long-standing friendly ties. As early as the Western Han Dynasty (202 BC-25 AD), Chinese fleets had already reached areas near present-day Thailand. From the Tang and Song dynasties (618-1279) onward, the Maritime Silk Road flourished, fostering vibrant trade between the two sides. Beginning in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), diplomatic missions became frequent, with envoys exchanging gifts across mountains and seas. These treasured objects and well-established routes of exchange stand as enduring evidence of mutual goodwill. On July 1, 1975, China and Thailand established diplomatic relations, and over the following decades, bilateral ties have continually deepened, with the peoples of both countries standing side by side and supporting each other. This exhibition looks back on a millennium of interaction between the two countries while offering a sincere tribute to 50 years of their modern diplomatic relations.

The term “Jin Lin” (golden friendship), part of the exhibition’s Chinese title, is taken from ancient Chinese records describing regions in present-day Thailand known for their abundance of gold and silver. Titled “Golden Friendship, Shared Brilliance,” the exhibition symbolizes the way the two civilizations enrich each other through exchange and mutual learning, advancing together toward a bright future. The exhibition consists of four sections: “Intertwined Resplendence,” “Unwavering Devotions,” “Boundless Ingenuity,” and “Past to Present.” It employs a “dual-narrative” structure. The main narrative traces the development of Thai art, from painted pottery and bronzes unearthed from the Ban Chiang archaeological site to solemn Buddhist sculptures, refined royal artifacts, and the inheritance of modern and contemporary craftsmanship. The history embedded in these objects illustrates the development and achievements of Thai culture and art. The secondary narrative features artifacts that reflect trade between China and Thailand, diplomatic gift exchange, and technical communication, presenting a story of long-lasting cultural dialogue.

Highlights from Thailand include masterpieces from 11 national museums and institutions, such as a painted pottery from the Ban Chiang National Museum; a gable end from the Ramkhamhaeng National Museum; a crowned and bejeweled Buddha Subduing Mara and a crown from the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum; a throne from the National Museum Bangkok; as well as the model of the Royal Thai Barge “Suphannahong” and Khon masks from the Office of Traditional Arts of the Fine Arts Department of Thailand’s Ministry of Culture. The Palace Museum has also selected several notable pieces from its own collection, including the gold-foil document, a porcelain bowl with polychrome overglaze and decorative motif, a white satin embroidered featuring cloud, bat, and dragon motifs, and a screen with a red sandalwood frame. The exhibition concludes with two auspicious elephant sculptures, one from the Palace Museum and one from Thailand’s Haripunchai National Museum, highlighting the shared symbolic significance of elephants in both cultures. Furthermore, the elephant serves as a metaphor linking the past and the present, reflecting the contemporary implications of the enduring friendship between China and Thailand.

A companion catalog will be available and, during the show, the Palace Museum will also share the catalog through its official digital platforms and host a series of public lectures.

The exhibition is jointly promoted by the Embassy of Thailand in China and supported by the Forbidden City Cultural Heritage Conservation Foundation and Thailand Foundation.