Silk Road Echoes: Nepal-China Painting Exhibition Opens in Kathmandu to Mark 70 Years of Diplomatic Relations

Silk Road Echoes: Nepal-China Painting Exhibition Opens in Kathmandu to Mark 70 Years of Diplomatic Relations

Kathmandu, August 2, 2025 — In celebration of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nepal and China, the “Silk Road Echoes, Art Unites Hearts” Nepal-China Painting Exhibition opened with grandeur at the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts. Co-hosted by the Silk Road Cities Alliance, Nepal Academy of Fine Arts, and the China Cultural Center in Nepal, the exhibition drew an audience of over 200 dignitaries, artists, and cultural representatives from both countries.

The opening ceremony was attended by notable guests including H.E. Chen Song, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal; Sujata Koirala, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nepal; Kanchha Kumar Khatamchhali, President of the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts(NAFA); and Wu Bixiu, Secretary-General of the Silk Road Cities Alliance(SRCA).In his keynote speech, Ambassador Chen emphasized the role of art as a vital conduit for dialogue among civilizations. “Art transcends language and touches the soul,” he remarked. “This exhibition is not only a celebration of our bilateral friendship, but also a vivid manifestation of the Global Civilization Initiative in action. We hope to build bridges of understanding through culture and co-create a brighter future for China-Nepal relations.”

Former Deputy Prime Minister Sujata Koirala praised the exhibition as a powerful testament to the enduring friendship between the two nations: “Art is the finest witness and guardian of the ties we have nurtured over the past seventy years. Today, artists from both countries stand together to present not only exquisite craftsmanship, but also the resonance and fusion of our peoples’ hearts and minds. China and Nepal should further implement the Global Civilization Initiative, enrich cultural exchanges, promote people-to-people connectivity, and work hand in hand to create a shared future.”

The exhibition features over 100 works from 59 artists from both nations. Representing China are 15 renowned painters and calligraphers, including Li Mingquan, He Dong, Lu Hongming, Wang Qihua, Yong Jincheng, and Xu Jinping, showcasing 60 traditional Chinese ink paintings and calligraphy pieces, rich in classical technique and Eastern aesthetics.

Nepali contributions include 44 works spanning traditional and contemporary forms—from Thangka and Mithila paintings to modern oil paintings and experimental prints. The selection highlights Nepal’s rich cultural diversity and evolving artistic language, where heritage and modernity coexist in dynamic tension. A highlight of the opening event was a live painting performance organized by the Silk Road Cities Alliance. Chinese artists collaborated on three symbolic artworks: “Everlasting China-Nepal Friendship,” “A Year of Auspicious Snow,” and “Mount Everest,” celebrating themes of nature, harmony, and cross-border unity. The performance was met with enthusiastic applause from the audience.

The exhibition has received strong support from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Nepal, with special thanks to curator Pradip Shakya of the NAFA, Li Mingquan of the SRCA Art Museum, and KGH Group for their contributions. The exhibition is open to the public free of charge and will run through August 16, inviting art lovers, cultural enthusiasts, and the general public to experience the richness of China-Nepal artistic collaboration.