On the afternoon of October 27, the "China–Panama Friendship Art Exhibition Tour" opened at the Beijing Normal University Jingshi Gallery. The exhibition builds a bridge of cultural exchange between China and Panama through the expressive language of art.

Exhibition Poster

Attendees at the opening ceremony included Miguel Lecaro, Ambassador of Panama to China, and officials from the Panamanian Embassy; Wei Qiang, President of the Latin American Chapter of the Western Returned Scholars Association, and Pu Jie, Vice President of the Chapter; Wu Yujun, Director of the Office of International Exchange and Cooperation of Beijing Normal University; Zhen Wei, Deputy Dean of the School of Arts and Communication; and several experts and scholars, including Ji Haiyang, Gu Zong, and Wang Peng. Also present were Xue Tong, President of the ASA Foundation of Panama; Ding Dawei, Director of Aisha An (Beijing); and participating Chinese and Panamanian artists Huang Shali, Gan Zhuo’an, Yuan Ruonan, Huang Mengna, Wu Shunxiong, and Xiao Ling.

Opening Ceremony of the “China–Panama Friendship Art Exhibition Tour”

Connected by Canals: A Contemporary Dialogue Between Two Great Civilizations

Wu Yujun, Director of the Office of International Exchange and Cooperation of Beijing Normal University, remarked that the exhibition represents not only an exchange of art but also a dialogue between civilizations. He noted that the Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal and the Panama Canal—two waterways symbolizing Eastern wisdom and Latin American spirit—resonate deeply within the context of artistic expression. Wu emphasized that BNU has long been committed to promoting cross-cultural exchange, and this exhibition vividly embodies the university’s vision of international education.

Wu Yujun, Director of the Office of International Exchange and Cooperation of Beijing Normal University, delivers a speech

Miguel Lecaro, Ambassador of Panama to China, expressed the deep admiration and respect of the Panamanian people for Chinese culture with heartfelt enthusiasm. He noted that the Panama Canal is not only a waterway connecting two oceans, but also a bridge linking different civilizations. The Panamanian artworks on display, he said, embody both the inheritance of indigenous cultural traditions and reflections on contemporary Latin American society, and he hoped they would resonate deeply with the Chinese audience.

Miguel Lecaro, Ambassador of Panama to China, delivers a speech

Art as a Bridge: Cultural Integration from Diverse Perspectives

Wei Qiang, President of the Latin American Chapter of the Western Returned Scholars Association, noted that over the past five years, the “Across the Ocean—China–Panama Friendship Art Exhibition Tour” has become an important project for cultural exchange between the two countries, playing a valuable and influential role in promoting China–Panama friendship and cooperation. He emphasized that the project’s chief planner, Xue Tong, President of the ASA Foundation of Panama, together with Zhen Wei and several other distinguished Chinese artists, have built—through their artistic creation, exhibitions, and educational activities—a platform of shared beauty and mutual appreciation that bridges the vast ocean between the two nations. Their work has complemented and reinforced official diplomatic efforts, jointly opening a new chapter in the advancement of friendship between the peoples of China and Panama.

Wei Qiang, President of the Latin American Chapter of the Western Returned Scholars Association, delivers a speech

Xue Tong, President of the ASA Foundation, with Miguel Lecaro, Ambassador of Panama to China, and Wei Qiang, President of the Latin American Chapter of the Western Returned Scholars Association, at the exhibition site

Zhen Wei, Deputy Dean of the School of Arts and Communication at Beijing Normal University, offered an academic interpretation of the exhibition’s artistic value. He pointed out that the Chinese artworks on display not only carry forward the spiritual essence of traditional ink painting but also incorporate innovative expressions of contemporary art. The Panamanian works, in contrast, embody the vitality and creativity characteristic of tropical culture. This artistic dialogue, he noted, not only broadens the aesthetic horizons of the audience but also unfolds a new chapter in the friendship between China and Panama.

Zhen Wei, Deputy Dean of the School of Arts and Communication at Beijing Normal University, delivers a speech

Exhibition Highlights: A Brilliant Display of Diverse Art Forms

The exhibition features more than 60 artworks by artists from both China and Panama, encompassing a variety of artistic forms including oil painting, ink painting, and mixed media. The Chinese artists’ works take the canal as their central theme, tracing the historical and cultural legacy of the Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal while interpreting the spirit of the New Silk Road under the Belt and Road Initiative. The Panamanian artists’ works vividly capture the tropical charm and multicultural character of their country—ranging from the coastal scenery of the Caribbean to modern urban landscapes—showcasing the unique cultural appeal of this Central American nation. Together, the works of the two countries’ artists preserve the distinctiveness of their respective cultures while exemplifying the inclusiveness and mutual learning among civilizations. The exhibition stands as a vivid testament to the deepening friendship between China and Latin America.

Guests Visiting the Exhibition

The China–Panama Friendship Art Exhibition Tour is not only a grand artistic event but also an important platform for deepening mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of China and Panama. In this pleasant autumn season, representatives from both countries gathered at the Jingshi Art Museum to experience this cross-Pacific dialogue of civilizations and to witness the brilliant encounter between Chinese and Panamanian cultures within the contemporary artistic context.

Selected Works from the Exhibition:

Zhen Wei, Rainbow from the East, 80 × 100 cm, oil on canvas

Ji Haiyang, White Boat, 50 × 60 cm, oil on canvas

Angela Maria Gaecia, Old City of Panama, 80 × 60 cm, mixed media

Victor Martínez Vásquez, Chinese Story, 40 × 60 cm, oil on canvas