Traditional Chinese Painting Exhibition held in Cambodia

The BPAFFC, the Beijing Institute of Cultural and Historical Research, and the Cambodia-China Friendship Association co-organized an exhibition of traditional Chinese paintings in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, from July 4 to 5. The exhibition featured 36 excellent works created by painters and calligraphers of the Beijing Institute of Cultural and Historical Research.

Ek Sam Ol, President of the Cambodia-China Friendship Association, Chen Cong, Minister-Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Cambodia, and Chey Chanketya, Deputy General Directorate for Cultural Techniques of Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts attended the exhibition, along with representatives from overseas Chinese groups and local students, etc. 

Ek Sam Ol said in his speech that the exhibition answered the call of the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2023, and also celebrated the naming of Xi Jinping Boulevard in Phnom Penh and the 66th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cambodia. Ek Sam Ol pointed out that the exhibition not only offered an opportunity to appreciate the visual art created by the artists, but also enhanced cooperation for the wellbeing of the Chinese and Cambodian peoples.

Chen Cong noted that this year has been designated as the China-Cambodia Year of People-to-People Exchanges. Since the beginning of the year, a series of activities such as the kick-off ceremony of the China-Cambodia Year of People-to-People Exchanges, the “Happy Spring Festival” celebrations, and the Chinese Culture and Food Exhibition have been held in Cambodia, enriching the vibrant tapestry of people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and Cambodia. China is willing to work with Cambodia to advance exchanges and cooperation in various areas within the framework of the China-Cambodia Year of People-to-People Exchanges, carry out a diverse variety of people-to-people exchange activities, further promote mutual understanding and bond between the peoples, and cement popular support for a high-quality, high-level, and high-standard China-Cambodia community with a shared future in the new era.

Chey Chanketya reviewed that Cambodia and China successfully held the kick-off ceremony of the 2024 China-Cambodia Year of People-to-People Exchanges in January 2024 and staged the performance “When Shaolin Meets Bokator” at the famed Angkor Archaeological Park in April, building an unbreakable bridge for exchanges and cooperation between the two countries and peoples.

Addressing the event on behalf of the Beijing Institute of Cultural and Historical Research and the BPAFFC, Ping Xiaodong said that Chinese painting and calligraphy, as an integral part of traditional Chinese culture, embody the aesthetic ideas and mindset of the Chinese nation and are a cultural treasure of the Chinese nation and valuable assets of human civilization. On the occasion of the 2024 China-Cambodia Year of People-to-People Exchanges, the painting exhibition allowed more Cambodian people to experience China’s fine traditional culture and the friendly ties with the Chinese people.

At the event, students from international schools performed folk dances and played the traditional Chinese instrument of erhu, and Chinese artists created paintings and calligraphy works on the spot, filling the air with cultural and artistic vibrancy.