China has a long coastline and vast ocean. Our coastal ancestors began to understand and utilize the ocean long ago by simple ships and navigation skills. They also started the journey of exchanges and mutual learning with overseas countries by connecting oceans. China has thousands of years of navigation tradition and maritime civilization, which is an integral part of Chinese traditional culture of excellence.

The blue planet where human beings inhabit is not divided into isolated islands by the sea. Instead, she is connected by the sea into a community of shared destiny. Whether we made a living on the sea or took a closed-door policy, the sea is right there. Utilizing the sea, we thrive; discarding the sea, we decay. We should conquer the sea instead of being constrained by it. The historical experiences repeatedly enlighten us that in the new era China should embark on a voyage of becoming richer and stronger by dependence on the sea, and pursuing the humansea harmony for cooperation and win-win situation.

The China Maritime Museum together with the museums of ten provinces and municipalities directly under the Central Government namely Tianjin, Liaoning, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Shandong, Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan will exhibit over 160 pieces/sets of exquisite maritime-themed cultural relics. The exhibition shows the development, technology, art and culture of Chinese ancient maritime history, and presents the time-honored Chinese maritime civilization with broadness and profundity.