2024 marks the “China-ASEAN Year of Cultural Exchange” and also the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia. On April 1, the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Children’s Art Exhibition (China and ASEAN Session) was held at the Shenyang Library.

The 9th Asian Children’s Art Exhibition (China and ASEAN Session) is jointly supported by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the ASEAN-China Center. It is co-organized by the Liaoning Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Enlai Foundation, and the Malaysia-China Friendship Association Sabah. Since its establishment in 2015, the Asian Children’s Art Exhibition has attracted the enthusiastic participation of nearly ten thousand Asian children and has become a brand event for cultural exchange in Liaoning.

The theme of this art exhibition is “peace, tranquility, prosperity, beauty, and friendship”. Original art works are collected from children from China and ASEAN countries. Children can use pencils, pens, crayons, watercolors, gouaches, acrylics, and other painting tools and materials to depict a beautiful life and showcase a colorful world. Through brush and ink, they get to express not only their emotions but also their aspirations. The Asian Children’s Art Exhibition (China and ASEAN Session) will promote cultural exchanges between Liaoning and ASEAN countries’ youth, foster closer ties between Liaoning and ASEAN region, and enhance mutual understanding and friendship. In July of this year, the Asian Children’s Art Exhibition (China and ASEAN Session) will tour the Shenyang Library in Liaoning and the Sabah Art Gallery in Malaysia.

The guest province for this Asian Children’s Art Exhibition is Negeri Sabah in Malaysia. Dr. Oh Ei Sun, President of the Malaysia-China Friendship Association Sabah and Chief Advisor of the Malaysia Pacific Research Center, who attended the opening ceremony of the art exhibition in Shenyang, expressed that through participating in painting creation and exhibitions, children from various countries can deeply feel the traditional friendship between China and ASEAN countries. He welcomes children from ASEAN countries to actively participate in this Asian Children’s Art Exhibition. The Malaysia-China Friendship Association Sabah, will work together with the Liaoning Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries to promote cultural and sports exchange activities between the two sides.