The Keqiutou Austronesian Cultural Exhibition in Pingtan has been named one of China's top museum exhibitions, earning the prestigiousmasterpiece award of Top Ten Museum Exhibitions in China. The winners were announced on May 18 during the Chinese main venue event for International Museum Day 2026 in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia.

Recommended by the Fujian Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration and jointly developed by the Fujian Museum and the Pingtan Archaeological Site Park Protection and Development Center, the exhibition received one of the country's highest honors in museum curation and display.

The award is regarded as the highest recognition in China's museum exhibition sector and represents the country's leading standards in exhibition planning and presentation. This year, 150 projects from across the country were submitted, with 38 shortlisted for the final round before the top 10 were selected following expert review.

The Keqiutou exhibition is built on findings from the major Archaeology China research project on the origins and expansion of Austronesian peoples, as well as nearly 70 years of archaeological work at the Keqiutou site cluster in Pingtan. Centered on the theme of "Origin, Exchange and Integration," it presents a complete narrative framework of "Origin" (local beginnings), "Flow" (maritime migration), and "Colour" (cultural interaction).

Divided into three exhibition halls — Born by the Sea, Sailing with the Wind, and Austronesian Art— the exhibition systematically presents the archaeological cultural sequence of Pingtan dating from 7,500 to 3,000 years ago. It traces the epic migration journey of Austronesian ancestors from Chinese mainland's southeastern coast through Taiwan and Southeast Asia to the far reaches of the Pacific, illustrating how early communities relied on the ocean for cultural exchange, technological transmission and population interaction.

Through immersive and interactive exhibition design, the display transforms academic research into engaging public experiences, allowing visitors to gain a more vivid understanding of the maritime wisdom and pioneering spirit of Austronesian ancestors.

Experts praised the exhibition for using archaeological evidence to place China's maritime heritage within the broader history of human oceanic civilization, while also contributing to and helping shape international academic discussions through sustained research.

The award is viewed as recognition of both the exhibition's academic value and its curatorial quality, while also reflecting broader progress in museum exhibition standards in Fujian Province. Organizers said the exhibition will continue to serve as a platform for presenting maritime culture, promoting cultural exchange and sharing China's maritime story with global audiences.