Xu Rongmao, chairman of Shimao Group, was born in Shishi city in 1950. He says that he wants to contribute to the cultural richness of his hometown by locating the museum in the city. Meanwhile, he hopes that fellow citizens could enjoy their heritage as those living in Beijing, Shanghai and other metropolises.

He believes that the museum will get people closer to the historical stories of how dwellers in coastal areas of Fujian province maintained trade contacts or conducted cultural exchanges with countries alongside the ancient Maritime Silk Road, which would help to nourish amity among people from relevant countries.