Visitors admire a work of art at the Qidong leg of the inaugural Future Art Ambassadors: China-Switzerland Youth Painting Competition. [Photo/chinanews.com]

The Qidong leg of the inaugural "Future Art Ambassadors: China-Switzerland Youth Painting Competition" opened at the Qidong Art Museum on July 1. Featuring over 100 works, the exhibition highlights how young artists from both countries are transcending language barriers through creativity, offering unique perspectives on art and friendship.

The Qidong exhibition will run through July 7 before the selected works continue their journey to a gallery in Basel, Switzerland. Among the participants were 50 young artists from Qidong, with 10 pieces making the competition's finalist list.

The event marks the start of a new chapter in cultural and economic cooperation between Qidong and Switzerland, said Yang Zhongjian, Party secretary of Qidong. He added that the exhibition provides a platform for young people to express their dreams and imagination through vibrant forms, colors, and patterns. It also serves as a window to promote Qidong's thriving industries, ecological beauty, openness, and cultural charm.

Yulia Jin, general manager of Swiss Centers China, praised Qidong for using culture to share the warmth and vision of Chinese cities with the world. As a key stop on the national tour, the Qidong exhibition reflects the growing cultural ties between China and Switzerland.