The rich and vibrant history of the ancient Silk Road has come to life here in Tokyo as an exhibition featuring a dazzling array of Chinese cultural treasures has opened its doors to the Japanese public.

Commemorating the 45th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, the Great Silk Road World Heritage Exhibition has opened at the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum in Tokyo.

In 2014, a joint application by China, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan led to the recognition of "the Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor" as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The exhibition, which opened Friday, features 237 sets of Silk Road artifacts carefully selected from 27 major museums and institutes across China.

Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao, when speaking at the opening ceremony, expressed his hope that this exhibition would contribute to a better understanding among the Japanese people of the historical origins and cultural significance of the Silk Road, fostering goodwill and mutual understanding between the two nations.

"This exhibition reaffirms the indispensable role of cultural exchange in the future prosperity and peace of both Japan and China," said Masanori Aoyagi, former cultural affairs commissioner and honorary adviser to the exhibition.

The exhibition, which will run in Tokyo until Dec. 10, is scheduled to tour Fukuoka, Miyagi, Ehime, Okayama, and Kyoto from January 2024 to February 2025.