Chinese and African youth invited to take part in painting invitational exhibition

To promote cultural and artistic exchanges between Chinese and African youth, the BPAFFC co-hosts the 2026 “Colourful World” China-Africa Youth Painting Invitational Exhibition and “Youth Aspirations” Beijing Youth Art Biennale within the framework of the China-Africa Year of Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges. The move aims to jointly advance modernization and the Partnership Action for People-to-People Exchanges proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). Since its launch in May, the exhibition has attracted widespread attention from young people and friends across China and African countries. Heads of the Madagascar-China Friendship Association, the Intercontinental Youth Connect, the Botswana Fujian Overseas Chinese Association, and the South Africa Chinese Community & Police Co-operation Centre send messages to Chinese and African youth, inviting them to pick up their brushes to depict China-Africa friendship and build the dream of China-Africa modernization together.

Johanesa Rakotonirina, President of the Madagascar-China Friendship Association, extends warm congratulations on the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and African countries and on the China-Africa Year of Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges. He invites Chinese and African youth to pick up their brushes and actively participate in the 2026 “Colourful World” China-Africa Youth Painting Invitational Exhibition. He also encourages young people from China and Africa to strive for the dream of China-Africa modernization.

Daniel J.K. Zyama from the Intercontinental Youth Connect states that the friendship between China and Africa continues to create new opportunities for innovation, cultural exchange, education, and shared development. The China-Africa Year of Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges is an important platform that strengthens mutual understanding, celebrates our diverse cultures, and empowers young people to contribute their ideas, talents, and creativity to a shared vision of progress. Art has that power to connect people across borders, tell stories, and inspire positive change. Through this exhibition, young artists have the opportunity to showcase their creativity whilst contributing to the growing friendship between China and Africa.

Li Yujiao of the Botswana Fujian Overseas Chinese Association says that China-Africa friendship enjoys a long history and remains ever strong and vibrant. In recent years, China-Africa cooperation has deepened not only in infrastructure, healthcare, education, trade, and economy, but also in people-to-people exchanges, especially among the youth, which have grown ever closer. 2026 marks the China-Africa Year of Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges. Civilizations have become richer and more colorful with exchanges and mutual learning. Painting is an artistic expression that transcends language and borders. She hopes that Chinese and African youth will pick up their brushes to depict their dreams in vibrant colors, convey friendship through art, and showcase their youthfulness with creativity, so as to together paint a bright future of shared development between China and Africa.

Chi Shucheng from the South Africa Chinese Community & Police Co-operation Centre notes that the China-Africa Year of Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges serves as a broader platform for China and Africa to deepen mutual learning among civilizations and enhance people-to-people bond. This offers an opportunity to further strengthen exchanges in education, culture, and youth, consolidate China-Africa friendship, and contribute to building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era. He invites young people from China and Africa to pick up their brushes and take part in the 2026 “Colourful World” China-Africa Youth Painting Invitational Exhibition and “Youth Aspirations” Beijing Youth Art Biennale.

With the support and attention from all sectors, the call for entries for the painting invitational exhibition is drawing to a close, and the review process will commence soon. The exhibition is planned to be held at the China Millennium Monument from August 7 to 16. Please stay tuned.