Shanghai takes its story of friendship to Istanbul

An archival photo exhibition titled The Bridge of Friendship: Shanghai and Istanbul in the Intersection of Eastern and Western Civilizations opened on Saturday at the Ottoman Archives of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkiye Directorate of State Archives.

The exhibition was organized jointly by the Shanghai Archives and the First Historical Archives of China, at the invitation of the Ottoman Archives.

This year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Turkiye. Featuring nearly 100 rare archival documents and records, the exhibition traces the friendly exchanges between China and Western countries along the ancient Silk Road and Maritime Silk Road. It also highlights the cultural ties, people-to-people exchanges, and economic and trade cooperation that have connected Shanghai and Istanbul, two sister cities.

This is the first time in 18 years that Shanghai has brought an archival exhibition to Istanbul. A significant initiative in archival and cultural exchange between China and Turkiye, the exhibition is being held alongside an international academic symposium on archives at the Ottoman Archives.

At the opening ceremony, Muhammet Ahmet Tokdemir, president of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkiye Directorate of State Archives, said the exhibition offers Istanbul residents and archival professionals a valuable opportunity to learn more about China and especially about Shanghai.

He added that the Turkish and Shanghai archives would further strengthen their cooperation in preserving, developing and making historical records accessible.

More than 100 archival scholars and historians from over 60 countries and regions attended the academic symposium. The Shanghai delegation also took part in the symposium, delivering a presentation titled "Shanghai Archival Work in the Digital Era".

The delegation said the exhibition represented an active contribution by Shanghai's archives to telling the story of the Belt and Road Initiative and promoting friendship between the two countries.