City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) hosted a Special Exhibition in Hong Kong showcasing A Comprehensive Collection of Ancient Chinese Paintings and its associated Thematic Academic Exchange Event, from 15 January to 6 February 2026. These events highlight the artistic excellence of traditional Chinese culture and strengthen the cultural ties between Zhejiang and Hong Kong.
The exhibition and exchange were jointly organised by The Information Office of the People’s Government of Zhejiang Province, the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism, Zhejiang University, and CityUHK. The initiative is supported by the Culture Exchange Oasis (CXO) of CityUHK and Zhejiang University Press.
The exhibition features over 100 printing samples for colour correction masterpieces from the Song Series A Comprehensive Collection of Ancient Chinese Paintings. Curated in three thematic sections — “Splendid Mountains and Rivers”, “Flourishing Flora and Fauna” and “A Kaleidoscopic World”—the exhibition highlights the artistic excellence and refined aesthetic vision embodied in traditional Chinese culture. Drawing inspiration from Zhejiang celadon, Song-dynasty floral art, and everyday utensils depicted in the famous painting Street Peddler, the exhibition interweaves the shared cultural lineage of Zhejiang and Hong Kong.
A highlight of the programme was the Book Presentation Ceremony held on 30 January at the Run Run Shaw Creative Media Centre at CityUHK. During the ceremony, Zhejiang University officially presented “A Collection of Pre-Qin Period to Tang Dynasties Paintings Vol. 1” from the series A Comprehensive Collection of Ancient Chinese Paintings to CityUHK, symbolising a deep commitment to academic collaboration.
The ceremony was attended by over 100 distinguished guests, including Mr Lin Zhan, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR; Professor Yu Hanyin, Director of The Information Office of the People’s Government of Zhejiang Province; Mr Zhang Guangzhou, Deputy Director-General of the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism; Mr Raistlin Lau Chun, Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Government of the HKSAR; Professor Zhou Jianghong, Vice President of Zhejiang University; Professor Li Wen Jung, Vice President (Talent and International Strategy) of CityUHK; and Professor Lin Fen, Associate Vice-President (Global Strategy) of CityUHK.
In his welcoming remarks, Professor Li Wen Jung expressed his gratitude for the book donation, noting that the collection serves as a vital resource for CityUHK students and researchers to explore the depth of Chinese art history. He emphasised CityUHK’s role as a bridge for international talent and cultural exchange.
Professor Lin Fen emphasized blending art with technology, stating, “At CityUHK, we are committed to transitioning from STEM to STEAM by integrating Art. Our ArtX Hong Kong initiative fosters creativity through a people-centric, technology-enabled, and inclusive ecosystem. We believe art should engage society, reflecting its profound value and timeless cultural wisdom.”
Mr Zhang Guangzhou delivered a speech and stressed that Zhejiang is endowed with beautiful landscapes, a long and profound cultural legacy, and deep-rooted traditions of Song culture. The cultural ties between Zhejiang and Hong Kong are close, with shared heritage spanning from the historical traces of Sung Wong Toi to archaeological discoveries of Longquan celadon. He hoped that the people of Hong Kong could feel an emotional resonance transcending time and space through Song paintings, and anticipated that the "Great Collection" would serve as a bridge to further advance cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two places.
Mr Raistlin Lau Chun stated that this special exhibition integrates books into the display, guiding the audience to experience the artistic essence of Song Dynasty paintings and showcasing the profound depth of Chinese culture. By blending artistic expression with technological means, the exhibition creates an immersive experience, inviting audiences to step into a thousand-year-old artistic world.
Professor Zhou Jianghong noted that the project, undertaken over more than two decades, has compiled 12,405 Chinese paintings (sets) from 263 cultural and museum institutions worldwide, and has published a series of 68 volumes totalling 257 books. He pointed out that this event marks a new starting point for the practical application and cross-disciplinary exploration of the project's achievements.
During a tour of the exhibition, the guests were invited to explore the elegance of Song culture through interactive experiences, including Song-style whisked tea and lacquer fan crafting, demonstrating the contemporary vitality of Zhejiang’s intangible cultural heritage. Following the ceremony, the Thematic Academic Exchange Event, titled “Art as a Vessel Sailing from Hong Kong to the World: The Art of Ancient Chinese Painting and Cultural Inheritance”, officially commenced.
Co-hosted by Zhejiang University and CityUHK, the forum brought together over 20 experts and scholars from prestigious institutions, including the Central Academy of Fine Arts, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Macau University of Science and Technology, The Palace Museum, the Shanghai Museum, the Hong Kong Museum of Art, and the Hong Kong Palace Museum. The event provided an interdisciplinary platform for in-depth discussions on the preservation, historical influence, utilisation and global dissemination of ancient Chinese painting.
These events mark a significant milestone in introducing the A Comprehensive Collection of Ancient Chinese Paintings to the Greater Bay Area and beyond. By showcasing the enduring appeal of traditional Chinese culture, the collaboration enhances the international profile of the “Picturesque Zhejiang” brand and exemplifies the deepening cultural cooperation between Zhejiang and Hong Kong.
Through such meaningful exchanges, CityUHK continues to foster mutual learning and strengthen the cultural ties that connect the region to the rest of the world.