A commissioned painting focusing on the Belt and Road Initiative will be key highlights of the upcoming Beijing International Art Biennale. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Xu says several African artists will be exhibited at BIAB for the first time.

Another show will be a selection of artworks exhibited at previous editions of BIAB, which have been donated to the China Artists Association.

Tao Qin, the association's deputy secretary-in-general, says BIAB is not a commercial event and that the displayed works are returned to their creators, but many artists have donated their works to the association in the past.

The association took 40 Chinese works from its collection to European cities, including Helsinki and London, three months ago.

The works address universal issues such as conflicts, environmental protection and digital living.