Struggling to please

In the wake of competition from Hong Kong and Shanghai, the 12-year-old Art Beijing fair seeks its own niche with affordable fine art, Lin Qi reports.

Art Beijing, the capital city's long-standing art fair, opened its preview day on Saturday, the hottest April day Beijing has experienced in 66 years. The annual fair that's open at the National Agriculture Exhibition Center until Tuesday attracted fewer VIPs - collectors, dealers and artists eager to have the first glance - for the preview than usual.

The absence of several prominent international galleries' branches in Beijing and a lack of blue-chip works caused a lower attendance of regular visitors.