Tea for two good friends

An art installation in London depicting a shared love of tea wrapped up the China-UK Year of Cultural Exchange.

The closing ceremony, held at Potters Fields Park on Jan 15, featured two giant, decorative teapots, which were jointly created by Chinese and British artists. The work, called inclusive, was among several pieces of art displayed at the event.

Speaking at the ceremony, Xiang Xiaowei, minister counselor for culture at the Chinese embassy in London, said: "The Year of Cultural Exchange has pushed bilateral ties in the cultural sector to a historic high."

The China-UK program, announced by Premier Li Keqiang during a visit to the UK in June 2014, featured two phases. A season of events promoting British culture was held in China from March to July, led by the British embassy, while a Chinese season ran in the UK over the second half of the year, organized by the Chinese Ministry of Culture.

Xiang said the China season - themed "Creative China" - featured more than 60 events covering performing arts, design and new media that were collectively seen by a more than 1 million people. "Many cooperative agreements were also reached during that time," he added.

Xiang said President Xi Jinping's state visit to the UK in October marked a new era in relations, and that "culture will play an essential role in promoting understanding and mutual trust between our countries".

Prince William announced the theme for the UK season, "The Next Generation", during a visit to China early last year. It included a series of contemporary, innovative digital media works.

UK Now, an online portal launched in March, brought artists from both countries together to showcase the best in contemporary digital art. Another high point was the Great Festival of Creativity, held in Shanghai in March, which explored the role of innovation and creativity in commercial success, as well as brought together Chinese and British industries.

wangmingjie@mail.chinadailyuk.com

(China Daily European Weekly 01/22/2016 page21)