Ancient Chinese porcelain found in Indonesia testament to centuries-old bilateral ties

Porcelain plates and other artifacts from China's Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) found in Indonesia's Cirebon City are a testament to the centuries-old friendship between the two countries, as well as the historic trade links between Chinese traders and the then-Cirebon Sultanate supported by the Maritime Silk Road.

Located on the northern coast of Java Island, Cirebon is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and historical role in the Maritime Silk Road.

The city was recently welcomed as a new member of the City Alliance for the Protection and Joint Application of Maritime Silk Road World Heritage, the first city outside China to join the alliance.

At the Keraton Kasepuhan Complex, the Cirebon Sultanate's royal residence, the exterior and interior walls are decorated with Chinese porcelain tableware.

Locals believe the porcelain plates were brought in when a Chinese woman named Ong Tien Nio journeyed to Cirebon to marry Cirebon's first king Sunan Gunungjati around the year 1480.

"Princess Ong Tien Nio and her personal guards met Sunan Gunungjati there. Perhaps it was destiny by God for Sunan Gunungjati and Princess Ong Tien Nio to meet and finally get married in Luragung Village," said Pangeran Goemelar, a member of royalty of the Cirebon Sultanate.

Sunan Gunungjati, a renowned Muslim cleric, also commissioned a bright red pillar in the throne room as a symbol of friendship between China and the Cirebon Sultanate.

Clothing items worn by Ong Tien Nio, as well as other Chinese tableware artifacts were brought in from China on several sail boats and are now on display in the local museum.

"In tomb of Sunan Gunungjati, we can see an assortment of trade products from China, such as ceramics from different generations. From the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) until the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) - it's all here. The oldest is from the 16th century," said Mustakim Asteja, an art and culture lecturer from the Prima International Tourism Polytechnic.

The hundreds of years old water tanks used at the tomb of the Cirebon king and Ong Tien Nio also originate from China.

There are more than enough artifacts to prove that Cirebon indeed is a city of rich cultural heritage that was part of the Maritime Silk Road.

Ancient Chinese porcelain found in Indonesia testament to centuries-old bilateral ties

In his new year's call to world leaders, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday urged world leaders to get "priorities straight" and invest in development, not destruction.

"As we enter the new year, the world stands at a crossroads. Chaos and uncertainty surround us. Division. Violence. Climate breakdown. And systemic violations of international law. A retreat from the very principles that bind us together as a human family. People everywhere are asking: Are leaders even listening? Are they ready to act?" Guterres said in his New Year message for 2026.

The scale of global suffering remains severe. More than one-quarter of humanity lives in conflict-affected areas, over 200 million people require humanitarian assistance, and nearly 120 million have been forcibly displaced by war, crises, disasters or persecution, according to UN statistics.

"As we turn the page on a turbulent year, one fact speaks louder than words: Global military spending has soared to 2.7 trillion dollars, growing by almost 10 percent. That is thirteen times more than all development aid, equivalent to the entire Gross Domestic Product of Africa. All, while conflict rages at levels unseen since World War II. On this new year, let's resolve to get our priorities straight. A safer world begins by investing more in fighting poverty and less in fighting wars," said the UN chief.

A UN report released in September 2025 showed that rising military spending comes at a high opportunity cost, noting that less than 4 percent of current global military expenditure could end world hunger by 2030, just over 10 percent could vaccinate every child worldwide, and reallocating 15 percent would be sufficient to cover annual climate adaptation costs in developing countries.

"Peace must prevail. It's clear the world has the resources to lift lives, heal the planet, and secure a future of peace and justice. In 2026, I call on leaders everywhere: Get serious. Choose people and planet over pain. And I urge everyone who hears this message: Play your part. Our future depends on our collective courage to act. This new year, let‘’s rise together: For justice. For humanity. For peace," he said.

UN chief issues New Year's call to world leaders for peace, development