The 4th “My ASEAN & China” Multimedia Art Exhibition Series:The Abode of Peace-Brunei, held in Guiyang

On 16 September 2013, ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), the Embassy of Brunei Darussalam in China, the Department of Education of Guizhou Province and Guizhou Normal University co-hosted the 4th “My ASEAN & China” Multimedia Art Exhibition Series: the Abode of Peace - Brunei. Mr. Chen Mingming, Vice Governor of Guizhou Province, Mr. Luo Zhaohui, Director General of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Wu Pengcheng, President of Guizhou Normal University, Mr. Ma Mingqiang, ACC Secretary General, Brunei’s Ambassador H.E. Mme. Magdalene Teo, and other guests attended an opening ceremony and cut the ribbon. The opening ceremony was held at Guiyang International Eco-Conference Centre in Guizhou.

Mr. Chen Mingming, Vice Governor of Guizhou Province, said China and ASEAN are close to each other geologically and share common interests. Brunei, which is currently the Chair of ASEAN, is also a close friend of China. Brunei and China have maintained close contact and nurtured deep friendship since both countries established their diplomatic relations. He hoped this Multimedia Art Exhibition Series could make more people of Guizhou Province have more understanding of Brunei and strengthen further exchange and cooperation between the two sides.

Brunei’s Ambassador H.E. Mme. Magdalene Teo said in her speech that cultural exchange is a very important part of friendly exchanges between China and Brunei and plays a unique role in strengthening mutual understanding, building trust and nurturing friendship. She also wished the Exhibition would open a window for Chinese people to know more about Brunei.

ACC Secretary General Ma Mingqiang mentioned that this year marks the 10th Anniversary of Strategic Partnership between China and ASEAN as well as the 22nd Anniversary of China-ASEAN dialogue relations. More than 20 years ago, ASEAN-China relations has been developed in all dimensions. At present, trade volume between the two sides have amounted of more than 400 billion USD, there are more than 15 million people exchanges and the number of Chinese students studying in ASEAN has reached 170,000. A need of each side’s to development themselves is a catalyst for the development of China-ASEAN relations. A mutual understanding between China and ASEAN has laid a strong background of public opinion for the development of bilateral relations. The purpose of this exhibition is that the beauty of Brunei can be expressed through an artist’s works and the significance of friendly cooperation between China and Brunei can be realized. Let more people become a part of these friendly relations not only between China and Brunei, but also China and ASEAN.

This Exhibition showed Ms. Rita Zhao’s more than 200 photographs taken in Brunei and 5 oil paintings which she spent 3 years to finish them to fully demonstrate the traditions, history, religions, art, literature and the fantastic underwater world of Brunei.

ACC already successfully hosted “My ASEAN & China” Multimedia Art Exhibition Series for 3 times for Malaysia, Cambodia and Vietnam, to further enhance the mutual understanding between the Chinese people and ASEAN. This time, the event on Brunei was an important part of the 6th China-ASEAN Education Cooperation Week, which was held in Guizhou on 16-22 September 2013.