A painting on display. [Photo/Chinaculture.org]

Wang Chen noted that "Insight of China has been held annually since 2012, to showcase young artists' works. Sri Lanka took the baton as a South Asian country this year, echoing the Belt and Road Initiative. We will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-Sri Lanka relations next year, hoping our exchange step up a notch."

China and Sri Lanka have shared a long history. It was as early as AD 410 when the eminent Chinese monk Faxian came to Sri Lanka to study Buddhism. Sri Lanka was also a strategic stronghold along the Maritime Silk Road and Zheng He's voyages. For now, Sri Lanka followed the footsteps of Bangladesh, Pakistan, India and Nepal to engage in the exhibition, as mentioned in Li Jinsheng's speech.

Karunasena Kodituwakku believed the exhibition would consolidate bilateral ties and called for more similar events.