Core Insights - The exhibition "Mutual Benefit Under Heaven: A Thousand Years of Guangdong Foreign Trade" has opened at the Guangdong Provincial Museum and will run until October 15, 2026, showcasing 22 national first-class cultural relics [1] - The exhibition aims to present the historical trajectory of Guangdong's foreign trade over a millennium, featuring artifacts from various periods including the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties [1][2] - This is the largest and highest-standard foreign trade exhibition ever held in Guangdong, designed to highlight the region's role as a significant trade hub [1][2] Artifact Highlights - A notable display includes a collection of gold artifacts from the "Nanhai I" shipwreck, which serves as a testament to the prosperity of Chinese foreign trade during the Tang and Song dynasties [2][3] - The "Nanhai I" shipwreck, discovered in 1987, is the oldest and largest ocean-going trade ship found in China, with over 18,000 artifacts recovered, primarily ceramics [2][3] - Among the gold artifacts, a 1.72-meter-long "big gold chain" stands out, showcasing a unique design and indicating it was likely a personal item belonging to a wealthy foreign merchant [3][4] Cultural Exchange - The exhibition features a rare Yuan dynasty blue-and-white porcelain vase, which exemplifies the exchange of materials and techniques between China and the Middle East, highlighting Guangdong's significant role in overseas trade during the Yuan dynasty [5][6] - The artifacts reflect the deep cultural exchanges facilitated by maritime trade, with items like the Yuan blue-and-white vase being scarce and highly valued in global collections [6] Commercial Wisdom - A Ming dynasty ceramic jar from the "Nanao I" shipwreck illustrates the commercial strategies of foreign traders, as it contained a large quantity of goods, indicating efficient use of storage space to maximize trade profits [7] - The exhibition also showcases Qing dynasty porcelain pieces that demonstrate the collaboration between Chinese and European artisans, marking an early example of globalization in production [8][9] Conclusion - Each artifact in the exhibition serves as a historical messenger, embodying the spirit of openness, inclusivity, and mutual benefit that characterized Guangdong's trade history [9]