“Crossing the Ocean, Painting the Canals,” a Unique International Children’s Day

On June 1, the opening ceremony of the exhibition of China-Panama children’s paintings “Crossing the Ocean, Painting the Canals,” jointly held by Beijing People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and China World Peace Foundation was unveiled at the Beijing Peace Garden Museum. Nearly a hundred people attended the ceremony, including representatives of embassies of Latin American countries in China and cultural institutions of China and Latin American countries, Chinese and Panamanian artist representatives, representatives of award winners, and international students from Beijing International Studies University and Capital Normal University.

Supported by the Chinese Embassy in Panama and the Embassy of Panama in China, the exhibition selected more than 30 excellent works from the 2022 China-Panama Children’s Painting Competition and would last till June 15, aiming to promote people-to-people exchanges and friendship among countries along the “Belt and Road” through mutual learning among youths and the spread of the canal culture.

Wang Yanxia, Vice President of Beijing People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, delivered a speech, pointing out that China’s Grand Canal boasts long history, while the Panama Canal is famous worldwide. This exhibition, demonstrating the Grand Canal and the Panama Canal through children’s eyes, provides a platform for children from both countries to understand and learn from each other, injecting new vitality into cultural exchanges between the two countries.

H.E. Leonardo Kam, Panamanian Ambassador to China gave a speech and expressed his gratitude to Beijing People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and other organizations and institutions for hosting such a meaningful event. Ever since the establishment of the diplomatic relations, China and Panama have strengthened friendship and trust. The Panama Canal-themed exhibition, full of young people’s rich imagination and talent, shows the brotherhood among people of all countries.

Chinese Ambassador to Panama Wei Qiang sent a congratulatory video. He said that since the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and Panama six years ago, culture and art have played an important part regarding the bilateral agendas. Communications among teenagers are of vital importance and it is hoped that this exhibition would transcend time and space and enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the youths of the two countries.

Both Wang Hongzhuan, Secretary General of Beijing International Peace Culture Foundation and Zheng Chengjun, Vice President of Beijing International Studies University addressed the ceremony. Jorge Jovene, Dean of the School of Art at University of Panama (La Universidad de Panamá) and Professor Jose Duarte made a special trip to Beijing and presented “China-Panama Art Exchange Contribution Award” to Sally Huang Wong, a young Panamanian Chinese artist and the instructor of the competition.

Vice President Wang Yanxia and Ambassador H.E. Leonardo Kam unveiled the exhibition. Artist representative and Vice President of the Latin American Department of Western Returned Scholars Association, and famous singer Pu Jie staged a performance. President of  Latin American Department of Western Returned Scholars Association Wang Weihua and his wife attended the ceremony.

The exhibition was greatly supported by Beijing International Studies University, La Universidad de Panamá, Instituto Confucio de la Universidad de Panamá, Panama ASA Foundation, and Latin American Branch of Western Returned Scholars Association. For more information, please scan the QR code.

More interview videos and photos will be released soon.