Support Chinese abroad, art groups urged
HOng KOng: Chinese art organisations should support the overseas Chinese so they can serve as a force in promoting traditional Chinese art and culture to the world, a renowned artist and national political adviser said.
Dong Xiyuan, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the country’s top political advisory body, made the suggestions during the annual session of the body, which opened in Beijing on Sunday.
Dong proposed that the China Artists Association and the China Calligraphers Association – two pro- fessional organisations on traditional Chinese art – should offer courses on traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy to overseas Chinese societies.
“The courses will provide overseas Chinese communities with opportunities to learn traditional Chinese art,” said Dong.
Together with other artistic activities such as touring exhibitions and lectures, the programmes would set a stage for the Chinese diaspora to communicate with each other about this shared interest, he added.
Over 60 million overseas Chinese live in more than 200 countries and regions, according to data released by the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council in April 2018. — China Daily/Asia News Network