An exhibition opens in Beijing this week showcasing Chile’s Mapuche heritage - but will it encourage China to take a second look at its own minorities?

Below is an article published by CCTV:

A large exhibition tracing the roots of Chilean culture is open at Beijing's Capital Museum. "Mapuche - Seeds of Chile" showcases the art and culture of Chile's largest native ethnicity. Visiting Chilean President Michelle Bachelet unveiled the exhibition, Monday [14 April 2008] afternoon.

This is the first time Chile has comprehensively showcased its ethnic culture in China. It's also the largest touring exhibition featuring the lesser known indigenous people of Mapuche.

Amid the busy schedule of her China visit, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet still manages to make a presence at the opening of the exhibition.

Michelle Bachelet, Chilean president, said, "This is a highly successful visit. Chile and China aim to promote an all-round cooperative partnership - to reach a new high, amid a favorable bilateral relationship. It's evident on the cultural side as well. The Mapuche are the seed of the Chilean nationality. An exhibition like this will help the two peoples to understand each other's history and origins."

Chile's Minister of Culture reiterated the importance of cultural exchange between the two countries.

Paulina Urrutia, Chilean Minister of Culture, said, "It's vital our two peoples to get to know each other's history to create a common future. I believe future cooperation will be achieved largely by cultural exchange. Through the culture of our largest ethnicity, we sow a seed in China for the Chinese people to understand the Chilean people."

Mapuche are the original indigenous people. Today, they number more than six hundred thousand, scattered among Chile's rural and urban areas.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the power and wealth of the Mapuche chiefs was derived from warfare. Supported by their wealth, chiefs employed workers in precious metals, to craft articles of silver, to adorn their wives and for their equestrian gear.

Also, numerous wives produced fine textiles, which were sold to colonists. Silver articles and woven goods were well-known elements of prestige in the indigenous or mixed-blood world.

Jose Perz, Museum of Precolumbian Art of Chile, said, "This is a set of clothing for Mapuche women. The measure of silver articles is a symbol of wealth. This set of clothing is special for its waistband.

It's exquisitely made and represents dignified social status and family riches."

Chinese visitors were taken by a culture with which they are completely unfamiliar.

Yang Yang, visitor, said, "The exhibition shows me something I've never known before. I think it's important to know the local conditions and customs of other countries. An easy access is through its indigenous people."

Zhao Wenjun, visitor, said, "I can see striking similarities of these objects with the culture of our ethnic minorities in Yunnan Province. It's evident in clothing, hats and daily utensils. Maybe we have some common origin. I don't know. (laugh)"

The Mapuche handicrafts may suffered a decline with the access of the Mapuche to urban markets. Traditional artifacts have all but disappeared.

Mapuche textiles, however, persist and offer quality which has not been matched by industrial production.

The exhibition is open free to visitors at the Capital Museum until the end of June [2008].