Editor's Note: In celebration of the 35th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Singapore, the Capital Museum in Beijing is currently hosting "A Peranakan Culture Exhibition on the Maritime Silk Road," showcasing the vibrant cultural legacy of the Peranakan Chinese — descendants of early Chinese settlers who integrated into Southeast Asian societies.
This special exhibition, supported by the Asian Civilisations Museum and the Peranakan Museum, both operating under the National Heritage Board of Singapore, presents the dynamic history and multicultural identity of the Baba-Nyonya communities, whose distinctive way of life blends Chinese, Malay, Southeast Asian and Western influences.
Through artifacts, culinary traditions, religious customs, fashion and contemporary design, the exhibition underscores the enduring relevance of cultural exchange and the spirit of mutual understanding across regions.
The entrance to "A Peranakan Culture Exhibition on the Maritime Silk Road" at the Capital Museum, Beijing, June 24, 2025. The exhibition celebrates the vibrant legacy of the Peranakan Chinese, a community shaped by centuries of maritime exchange between China and Southeast Asia. [Photo by Liu Ziying/China.org.cn]