"When London Meets Wenzhou - Sketching and Exhibition in Wenzhou by Chinese and British Artists" is launched in Yongjia county, Wenzhou, Zhejiang province on Sept 4. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A cultural exchange activity between Chinese and British artists was launched in Yongjia county, Wenzhou, Zhejiang province on Sept 4.

The 14-day activity, entitled "When London Meets Wenzhou - Sketching and Exhibition in Wenzhou by Chinese and British Artists", will invite more than 20 famous Chinese and British artists to paint nature scenes in various spots around Wenzhou.

Outstanding works will be selected for publication and a documentary will be produced. The paintings will also be exhibited in Wenzhou and London after the activity.

British artists paint natural scenery in Yongjia county, Wenzhou, Zhejiang province on Sept 4. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

During the activity, seminars on painting will also be held to boost Sino-British cultural ties and local tourism in Wenzhou. 

"The activity comes at the right time and in the right place," said Xiang Xiaowei, minister-counsellor of the international communication and cooperation department of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China.

Xiang explained that the activity came less than a month before the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on Oct 1, and that Wenzhou, as a pioneer in China’s reform and opening-up, will inspire artists with its innovative practices, profound history and beautiful scenery.

This is the second time that Wenzhou has held such an international cultural exchange activity, with its first one, "When Paris Meets Wenzhou", held last year. Paintings created by Chinese and French artists during the activity were exhibited in Versailles, France in April.

The activity is part of Wenzhou's effort to strengthen cultural and tourism ties with countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative in recent years.

British artists dressed in traditional Chinese costumes pose for a group photo in Yongjia county, Wenzhou, Zhejiang province on Sept 4. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]