On Feb 20, Tangdu Polished Lacquerware Co in Pingyao county, Jinzhong, Shanxi province, presented the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) with a national gift of two exquisite Pingyao polished lacquer screens.

"This is an honor for Pingyao lacquerware, a testament to our nation's cultural confidence, and a beautiful vision of China's commitment to world peace," said Lei Tianyong, a Chinese master of arts and the artistic director of Tangdu Lacquerware. Lei expressed his excitement about the company's two masterpieces being chosen for this prestigious gift.

The donated screens, comprised of 12 panels, measure 7 meters in length and 2.5 meters in height. The artwork features mountains, waters, and houses, symbolizing harmonious coexistence and universal unity. Lei explained that the creation process took nearly two years to complete, from design and material selection to painting, lacquering, and polishing.

Pingyao polished lacquerware, renowned as one of China's four major lacquerware types, is distinguished by its unique "hand-polished" technique, embodying generations of exquisite craftsmanship and dedication. In 2006, the lacquerware technique was inscribed on the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List.