"This is a national museum of the UAE's history, both as a nation and a land," Mubarak said. "Bridging past, present and future, it will shape how we understand our evolving cultural narrative. When we speak of our modern history and diplomatic journeys, it is from the UAE's perspective … not others."

Among the exhibits is a glazed Longquan celadon dish from the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). Similar fragments were unearthed during a 2017 joint excavation by Beijing's Palace Museum and Ras Al Khaimah's Department of Antiquities and Museums. Since then, more than 4,500 pieces of Chinese ceramics spanning the Tang to Qing dynasties (618-1911) have been found.