A Chinese contemporary oil painting exhibition has just opened in Paris to give French art fans a glimpse of Chinese painting and culture. More than 100 paintings selected by the National Academy of Painting are now on display in Paris.

A Chinese contemporary oil painting exhibition has just opened in Paris to give French art fans a glimpse of Chinese painting and culture. Over a hundred paintings selected by the National Academy of Painting are now on display in Paris.

It is a chance for European residents to read the minds of Chinese contemporary painters. Visitors are surrounded by 152 art pieces that were selected over the past three years. Organizers say these reflect how Chinese artists have developed Western art forms with Chinese flavors.

“Oil painting was introduced to China from the West about a hundred years ago. Three generations of Chinese art lovers have been learning European techniques, and at the same time combining them with Chinese art patterns, to establish China's own painting style,” said Yang Xiaoyang, president of Chinese National Academy of Painting.

The exhibition is composed of three sections, telling stories of Chinese people’s lives and thoughts.

“We’re impressed by the variety of the art works. Both the portraitures and the landscape paintings are rich in excellent techniques,” said Erik Desmazieres, president of French Academy of Fine Arts.

“Culture exchange is an important foundation of China-France cooperation. The art exhibition is quite impressive and I'm glad they are holding it in France. I hope more art shows like this would help boost cultural communication between the two sides,” said Zhai Jun, Chinese ambassador to France.

The exhibition will run until July 30. An international seminar will also be held featuring artists from China and abroad to encourage more exchanges in this field.