On August 27, the opening ceremony of Embracing Diversity: China National Academy of Painting International Art Dialogue Exhibition was held in Wellington. Minister-Counsellor Zhang Xinyu from the Chinese Embassy, Mayor of Wellington Andrew Little, and Yan Dongsheng, Chairman of the Art Committee of  the China National Academy of Painting, attended the event and delivered remarks. About 150 guests from various sectors were present.

On behalf of Ambassador Wang Xiaolong, Minister-Counsellor Zhang expressed her expectation that the exhibition would deepen cultural and artistic exchanges between China and New Zealand and embody the spirit of the Global Civilization Initiative, which champions equality, mutual learning, dialogue, and inclusiveness. Mayor Little stated that when people meet through culture, they do more than exchange ideas. They build friendships. Chairman Yan hope that the exhibition would enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples, with art acting as a bridge between hearts.

Guests immersed themselves in the charm of Chinese art through the outstanding brush-and-ink paintings. Artists from the academy demonstrated their exquisite skills on-site, showcasing the essence of traditional Chinese culture, which emphasizes the harmony between humanity and nature.