A crabapple flower painting by Ding Jie (left) is displayed at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Crabapple Blossom Festival in Beijing. [Photo/WeChat account: rudongfb]

The opening ceremony of the 2025 Crabapple Blossom Festival and the Crabapple Poetry Gathering was held at the Former Residence of Soong Ching Ling in Beijing on April 7. More than 200 participants, including diplomats, envoys, and representatives of international organizations, from over 40 countries attended the event.

Chinese landscape artist Ding Jie, who hails from Rudong county, Nantong, presented his stunning new work. Using the expressive style of traditional Chinese painting, Ding portrayed crabapple flowers in various poses—buds ready to bloom, blossoms in full splendor, and petals glistening with dew—clustered gracefully along the branches.

During the ceremony, leaders and guests picked up brushes dipped in golden powder and cinnabar, delicately dotting flower stamens on the painting. Swiss Ambassador to China Jurg Burri remarked "The delicate beauty of the crabapple flowers combined with the boldness of the brushstrokes perfectly reflects how different civilizations shine through cultural exchange."