Offical Visit By SNAEIA and North African Delegiation of Ministry of Education & University Presidents to China National Silk Museum

On August 14, 2023, in the afternoon, the Sino-North Africa Education Innovation Association, along with representatives from the education ministries and university presidents of Tunisia and Morocco, visited the China National Silk Museum for an exploration. Ms. Ji Xiaofen, the museum director, accompanied the delegation throughout the visit.

Situated at the foot of Yuhuangshan by the West Lake in Hangzhou, the China National Silk Museum is a national first-class museum, the largest textile and apparel professional museum in China, and the world's largest silk specialized museum.

As a treasure trove of China's precious cultural heritage, the China National Silk Museum not only showcases the extensive history and production techniques of silk but also reflects the cultural exchanges between ancient China and various countries worldwide. As important countries along the ancient Silk Road, members of the Tunisian and Moroccan delegations displayed a keen interest in the exhibits within the museum.

Guided by Director Ji Xiaofen, the Association and the delegation sequentially visited the Silk Road Gallery, Intangible Cultural Heritage Gallery, Restoration Gallery, and Fashion Gallery within the China National Silk Museum. They also explored the recently launched thematic exhibitions titled "Civilization Grand View: Dunhuang on the Silk Road" and "Splendors of the Silk Road: 16-17th Century Silk Attire from the Esterházy Family of Hungary." Director Ji provided explanations throughout the tour in English, bringing the ancient and mysterious civilization of Chinese silk to the North African countries.

During the discussion with Ms. Ji Xiaofen, the director of the China National Silk Museum, the delegation highly praised the silk cultural exhibition within the museum. They expressed their desire to establish a long-term cooperative relationship with the museum, aiming to strengthen cultural exchanges between China and North African countries through international events like "Silk Road Week."

Through this Silk Museum journey, the delegation witnessed the prosperity of international trade and vibrant cultural exchanges along the ancient Silk Road. The Silk Road served not only as a channel for commodity transactions but also as a bridge for the exchange of civilizations between the East and the West. The Sino-North Africa Education Innovation Association is committed to continuously enhancing educational exchanges and cooperation with North African countries along the Silk Road, building a solid bridge for high-quality and pragmatic collaboration between Chinese universities and North African education authorities and institutions.