The then-Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua (fourth from left), Governor of the Central Bank of the Philippines, Benjamin E. Diokno (fifth from left), Carlos Dominguez, secretary of finance of the Philippines (third from right) and other prominent guests kick off the inaugural ceremony of the In Harmony With Nature exhibition in the Philippines on Sept 28. [PHOTO BY MIRIAM ZHANG/CHINA DAILY]

At the exhibition's inaugural ceremony in Manila, Zhao Jianhua, the then-Chinese ambassador to the Philippines, described the program as a "pioneer" in art and cultural exchange between the two countries.

"It goes beyond the exchanges between individuals. It's also about the interaction of two different cultures and two different civilizations," says Zhao.

The bilateral exchange program was co-organized by the Bank of China, China Daily, the Chinese Culture and Art Association and the Metropolitan Museum of Manila.