Visitors flock to the calligraphy exhibition at the Ningbo Art Museum. [Photo/cnnb.com.cn]

The 2025 Sino-Japanese Lanting Calligraphy Meeting and the 25th Lanting Calligraphy Exchange Exhibition debuted on June 17 at the Ningbo Art Museum.

Co-hosted by the Japanese Lanting Society, the Ningbo Calligraphers Association and the Ningbo Seal Society, the ongoing exhibition eatures over 500 calligraphy and seal carving works, highlighting the timeless role of calligraphy in cross-cultural dialogue.

Ningbo, historically a key hub of the Maritime Silk Road, has long paved the way for artistic and cultural exchanges between China and Japan. This year's exhibition, the largest since the event's inception, is said to really underscore the enduring appeal of ink art.

At the opening, Yang Jin, chairman of the Ningbo Federation of Literary and Art Circles, emphasized the historical and artistic connections that make calligraphy a bridge between cultures.

Among the distinguished participants was Chen Mingwu, a member of Xiling Seal Engraver's Society and president of the All-Japan Classical Seal Carving Research Association, who hails from Zhenhai district, Ningbo.

"Japan has a deep appreciation of Chinese traditional arts, especially calligraphy and seal carving," Chen said. "Given Ningbo's pivotal role in Sino-Japanese cultural history, it holds a special place in the hearts of many Japanese friends," Chen added.

The exhibition presents a variety of styles, from the dynamic strokes of cursive script to the refined elegance of clerical script. With participation of nearly 30 Japanese calligraphers, it's said to mark a significant moment in Sino-Japanese cultural engagement.

The exhibition runs to July 1, inviting visitors to explore the artistry and shared heritage of calligraphy.