ABSTRACT
The case studies of four cultural relics exhibitions from China show that the Chinese government consciously supports international exhibitions in coordination with diplomatic agendas and global policies, mainly by allowing exceptional loans with more grade-one cultural relics. The British government maintains an arm’s distance with its cultural institutions, but still plays a role in facilitating the exhibition exchanges between China and the United Kingdom (UK), for example, through the British Council. The Chinese government facilitated and provided exceptional help whenever it was consistent with its agenda. The themes of the exhibitions were largely driven by the interest and expertise of host museums, which implies a preference for certain historic periods or types of material cultures. The government sometimes allows Chinese museums to lend more in order to demonstrate its political support in certain circumstances, but the museum ideally wishes to prioritise the security of its collection.
