Beijing exhibition showcases China's growth story

World
Europe

A life-size model of China’s first manned deep-sea research submersible Jiaolong (named after a mythical dragon), a scale replica of world’s largest filled-aperture radio telescope Tianyan (meaning the heavenly eye) and miniaturized versions of China’s new Fuxing bullet trains – these are just a few of the dazzling exhibits that are charming visitors at the ongoing ‘Five Years On’ exhibition at the Beijing Exhibition Center.

Scale models of the new Fuxing bullet trains are seen at the backdrop of a life-size model of China's first manned deep-sea research submersible Jiaolong at the Beijing Exhibition Center in Beijing on October 13, 2017. /Photo Abhishek G Bhaya

Inaugurated on September 26 ahead of the forthcoming 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Beijing, the exhibition has been conceived to celebrate China’s achievements in the past five years. And it does so with a stunning multimedia display of a series of impressive milestones that the country has accomplished under the leadership of President Xi Jinping since the last Congress in 2012.

A scale replica of world’s largest filled-aperture radio telescope Tianyan at the Beijing Exhibition Center in Beijing on October 13, 2017. /Photo Abhishek G Bhaya

At the inaugural event, Liu Yunshan, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, highlighted the importance of the CPC's leadership with President Xi at the core.

Liu stressed that the exhibition will help CPC members and the general public learn about the CPC's political advantages, understand the new development phase of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and get them inspired to work hard for achieving grander goals in the future.

The exhibition has been divided into 10 thematic zones focusing on China’s major policies from the last five years, economy, political system, culture, social issues, environment, defense and military, major-country diplomacy, the concept of ‘one country, two systems and the development of the CPC.

Captivating narrative

Visitors at the ‘Five Years On’ exhibition at the Beijing Exhibition Center in Beijing on October 13, 2017. /Photo Abhishek G Bhaya

Last Friday, a special visit to the exhibition was organized for the international media and other expatriates in Beijing, with an option of guides speaking different languages including English, French and Russian.

As one streams, along with hundreds of other visitors, through the circular lobby with red walls highlighting slogans inspired by Xi’s vision, your guide leads you to the main hall of the exhibition dispersed with a range of exhibits while a three-minute video on a giant wall introduces us to the major policies of the last five years.

Next, the guide takes you on a journey through the different zones narrating a captivating account of China’s developments in recent years sprinkling it with anecdotal references of Xi’s efforts in areas such as foreign policy, environment, defense and cyberspace in the building of a robust country.

Visitors at the ‘Five Years On’ exhibition at the Beijing Exhibition Center in Beijing on October 13, 2017. /Photo Abhishek G Bhaya

Hundreds of photos of President Xi adorn the walls showing the leader in his different roles – including in combat fatigues encouraging the troops, inspiring the youth at various Chinese institutions, meeting various global leaders, attending major international conferences and one also showing him patting a baby elephant at a wildlife sanctuary in Zimbabwe.

However, the photo that appears most compelling and relevant in its symbolic appeal at a time when China is forging ahead with its goal of creating a ‘moderately prosperous society’ is the one which shows Xi lending a helping hand to poor villagers in Hunan Province, leading his fight against poverty.

This photo at the exhibition shows Chinese President Xi Jinping with villagers in Hunan province. /Photo Abhishek G Bhaya

The image also appears in a framed embroidered artwork in another exhibit.

A framed embroidered artwork featuring the photo of Chinese President Xi Jinping with villagers in Hunan province, on display at Beijing Exhibition Center. /Photo Abhishek G Bhaya

In one interactive display, visitors can see themselves center stage on a large screen paying obeisance to the Chinese national flag along with other Chinese citizens as the national anthem plays.

One of the most popular sections of the Beijing exhibition is the zone that showcases China’s military prowess, dedicated to Xi’s pledge of transforming the People’s Liberation Army into a world-class force.

The vibrant display shows a giant Chinese flag fluttering over a plethora of model state-of-the-art weaponry including missile launchers, armored vehicles and military communication devices flanked by warships, submarines, and the Liaoning aircraft carrier.

The zone showcasing China’s military prowess is dedicated to Chinese President Xi Jinping's pledge of transforming the People’s Liberation Army into a world-class force /Photo Abhishek G Bhaya

Models of state-of-the-art weaponry including missile launchers, armored vehicles and military communication devices flanked by warships on display at the Beijing Exhibition Center in Beijing on October 13, 2017. /Photo Abhishek G Bhaya

In addition to the 10 zones, the exhibition also has an interactive “experiencing” section that is a tribute to China’s triumphs in the fields of Internet technologies, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics. The interactive features include animated displays of cultural relics and real-time telecommunications with scientists at the Antarctic Zhongshan Station.

Intelligent manufacturing using robots on display at the Beijing Exhibition Center in Beijing on October 13, 2017. /Photo Abhishek G Bhaya

Many Chinese tech companies such as Haier and Xiaomi are offering demonstrations of their latest technological marvels geared towards “smart living” at this section.

While Xiaomi has put on display a range of smart appliances that use the latest AI technology, you can witness a live demo of Haier’s custom-made products through intelligent manufacturing.

If it’s your lucky day, as it was for this writer, you may also be gifted one such product, customized especially for you.

'It's inspiring'

Visitors at the ‘Five Years On’ exhibition at the Beijing Exhibition Center in Beijing on October 13, 2017. /Photo Abhishek G Bhaya

Visitors are enthralled by the array of exhibits, with many expressing a sense of pride and inspiration in seeing the progress China has made in such a short time.

“This is the best exhibition I had visited in recent years. I have been to all the 10 zones, and was amazed by how the theme - the achievement that China has gained in the past five years - being presented,” said Zhou Shanshan, 35, marketing professional with Beijing Review.

“In the cultural-related section, I was surprised to find some magazine copies from my company. Our magazine is China's national English newsweekly since 1958, and I am so proud of it. I would like to contribute more in presenting China to the world,” she said.

“What’s on display here is extremely inspiring,” said a foreign delegate who didn’t want to be named. “The speed of development in China has been rapid, and what’s more it has benefited the ordinary people,” he concluded.

7km