To mark 30th anniversary of normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan, the joint exhibition of China 20-Person Modern Calligraphy Show and Japan 20-person Calligraphy Show, a grand occasion for calligraphic exchange organized by Chinese Cultural Ministry, Japan-China Friendship Guild and Asahi Shinbun, was opened on April 24 at Beijing's China Century Alta art gallery. The calligraphic masterpieces featuring various styles and different genre attracted a bursting flood of audience.

The China 20-Person Modern Calligraphy Show was launched for the first time with works provided by China External Art Exhibition Center. The Japan 20-Person Modern Calligraphy Show, the only one beyond schools and genre of calligraphy was initiated in 1957 by Asahi Shinbun and so far has held 46 times. The common point of the two shows is that all participants in the show are recognized calligraphers still living. Works of Chinese calligraphers such as Qi Gong, Shen Peng, Ouyang Zhongshi and Hu Bingsen, written in all forms of regular script, cursive script, official script and seal script, feature both traditional charm and the flavor of the times. Works of Japanese calligraphers such as Ozaki Yuhou, Furoya Souin, Arai Kohfuh, Umehara Sehzan, Tagaki nobutsuru, Nakano Hokumei, Murakami Mishima and Yoshokawa Shosen, originated from Chinese calligraphic art but formed into their own unique characteristics through long-term practice and creation, are written both in Chinese characters and Japanese kana, accompanied by a few representative works of the lesser character school and ink image school. The pieces on display in general reflect the present state of the development of Sino-Japanese contemporary calligraphic arts.

Calligraphers from China and Japan such as Shen Peng and ozaki Yuhou, organizers of the show, representatives from Japanese Embassy in China and personages from various circles of the two countries attended the opening ceremony. The gathering of celebrities indicates that the show will go down in history as a grand event of Sino-Japanese calligraphic exchange and a significant cultural exchange activity in commemoration of 30th anniversary of normalization of Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations.

(From: People's Daily)