The opening ceremony of the exhibition "Friends afar: Commemorating the 620th Anniversary of Zheng He's Voyages to the Western Seas and China-Indonesia Cultural Exchange" was held in Jakarta，on July 11.Minister Zhou Kan of the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia and Rano Karno, Deputy Governor of Jakarta, attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches respectively. Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar toured the exhibition. Over 200 guests were present at the opening, including representatives from the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism, the National Heritage Conservation Agency, the National Museum, the National Gallery of Indonesia, and the Embassies of the Netherlands and Cambodia in Indonesia.

(Minister Zhou Kan delivering a speech at the opening ceremony)

The exhibition is organized by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), the Embassy of China in Indonesia, and the Zheng He Research Society. It is undertaken by the China Maritime Museum, the Shanghai Art Collection Museum, and the Jakarta Ceramic and Fine Arts Museum. The supporting organizations include China COSCO Shipping Group, Shanghai Foreign Affairs Office, Shanghai Transport Commission, Special Capital Region of Jakarta Government of Indonesia, and Consulate General of Indonesia in Shanghai. The exhibition will run for one month, closing on August 11.

(Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar viewing the exhibition)