A digital exhibition showcasing the history and culture of the vassal state of Jin (1033-376 BC), titled The Achievements of Jin Kingdom: Treasures of the Zhou Dynasty from Shanxi, opened at the National Museum of Folk Art in Armenia's capital city of Yerevan on July 12.

The exhibition, featuring more than 50 digitized images of important cultural artifacts, provides visitors with the chance to explore the 600-year history of the Jin state and its renowned bronze art.

The vassal state of Jin, which belonged to the Western and Eastern Zhou dynasties (c. 11th century-256 BC), is where the documented history of Shanxi began.

This exhibition marks the first collaboration among Shanxi Museum, the National Museum of Folk Art in Armenia, the Development Center for Armenian-Chinese Cooperation and the Belt and Road Cultural Development Association.

The exhibition uses digital display techniques to showcase valuable bronze and jade artifacts from Shanxi Museum. It offers a glimpse into the unique regional characteristics of Jin culture and daily life in ancient Shanxi, as well as insights into the spiritual beliefs and aesthetics of the Chinese people.

The bronze artifacts on show offer an overview of the evolution of the Zhou dynasties' ritual and music systems, providing valuable material for the study of early Chinese political institutions.

"Through these digital images, we hope to elucidate the historical evolution, ritual and music systems, social life and artistic achievements of the Jin state during the Zhou Dynasty for the Armenian people," said Guo Hong, director of Shanxi Museum's ancient books conservation department. "This exhibition aims to deepen the Armenian people's understanding of Chinese history and Shanxi culture," Guo added.

The exhibition will run until Sept 12. Following the opening ceremony, the collaborating parties held an academic seminar called Museum Exhibitions and Cultural Exchanges between China and Foreign Countries.

Armenia and China are friendly countries with exchanges dating back thousands of years. Armenia is also a participant of the Belt and Road Initiative. The digital exhibition marks an important move for cultural exchanges between Shanxi and Armenia under the framework of the BRI.

Xue Lin contributed to this story.

From left: A photographic display of ancient relics is part of the exhibition at the National Museum of Folk Art of Armenia. Crowds of visitors attend the digital show from Shanxi at the Yerevan museum. CHINA DAILY