Shared Horizons, a day-long international watercolour exhibition celebrating 50 years of Bangladesh-China diplomatic relations, opened on Tuesday at the Garden Gallery Cosmos in the capital’s Baridhara area.

Eminent artist Professor Emeritus Rafiqun Nabi inaugurated the exhibition as the Guest of Honour.

Organised by Gallery Cosmos, the exhibition features 28 curated works by two distinguished artists — Ma Baiqi, Master Watercolour Artist from China; and Mong Mong Sho, lecturer at Yunnan Arts University and PhD candidate at the China Academy of Art. Their works explore cultural harmony and shared artistic expression through contemporary watercolour practices.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Member of the BNP Standing Committee, said art remains one of the most effective bridges between nations.

“The simplest and easiest path to diplomacy is art and culture. Music, dance, painting — these transcend borders and communicate without language. This is how we build peace,” he said.

Li Shaopeng, Cultural Counsellor of the Embassy of China in Dhaka, described the event as a testament to profound people-to-people ties.

“It is a pleasure to join this important event. This year marks the 50th anniversary of our diplomatic relations, and next year will mark the 10th anniversary of Bangladesh joining the Belt and Road Initiative. Culture will endure far beyond commerce, and through these beautiful paintings we understand each other deeply,” he said.

He added that more collaborative art programmes are planned in the coming year, including exchange exhibitions between Bangladeshi and Chinese artists.

Enayetullah Khan, Editor-in-Chief of UNB and founder of the Bangladesh Centre for China Studies, said the exhibition carries special significance in the history of bilateral relations as the occasion was a meaningful celebration of the 50 years of Bangladesh-China friendship.

“This is a very special evening,” he said. “Cosmos Foundation has long been engaged in fostering cultural ties, and as the founder of the Bangladesh Centre for China Studies, my connection with China runs deep. We are honoured to host Ma Baiqi, a master watercolourist, as the resident artist of Gallery Cosmos. I hope our bonding will grow stronger and that more of his colleagues will join future exchanges.”

Chairman of Gallery Cosmos and Cosmos Atelier 71 Khan also thanked Mong Mong Sho, describing him as a Bangladeshi-Chinese artist contributing significantly to bilateral cultural understanding.

“At the people-to-people level, our relations are already strong,” he said, acknowledging guests who have been instrumental in advancing Bangladesh-China ties.

He praised the Gallery Cosmos team for their dedication.

“They have been working day and night with joy,” he said. “Painting is a therapy. During the two years of the pandemic, looking at the artworks around me gave me solace when the world was gripped by uncertainty.”

Khan described artists as “the biggest and best peacemakers,” quietly building bridges between nations.

“We are fortunate to have Professor Emeritus Rafiqun Nabi, an artist of global stature, inaugurating the event,” he added.

He also acknowledged international guests, including Captain Grace Carter, and noted the presence of senior political figure Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan and former foreign minister Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, praising their long-standing contributions to strengthening relations between Bangladesh and China.

“Today is a very special evening. We are honoured to host Ma Baiqi as resident artist at Gallery Cosmos. Painting is a therapy — during the pandemic, it gave me tremendous solace. Artists are, in my opinion, the greatest peacemakers,” he said, thanking the Cosmos Foundation team for their efforts.

Former Foreign Secretary Farooq Sobhan highlighted the historical depth of Bangladesh-China friendship.

“China has stood by us through trials and tribulations. The 21st century is the Asian century, and China is offering leadership rooted in shared prosperity — through initiatives like the Belt and Road, global development and civilization initiatives, and the idea of a common future for mankind,” he said.

Bangladeshi-Chinese artist Mong Mong Sho reflected on the growing cultural collaboration between the two nations.

“Business and diplomacy are ongoing, but as artists we also have responsibilities. Through workshops and exchanges, we can strengthen our bond. There is so much to learn from each other’s traditions and landscapes,” he said.

Chinese artist Ma Baiqi emphasised the borderless nature of art. “Painting has no borders. We feel colours and nature beyond cultural backgrounds. I hope we can continue to engage in more cultural activities in the future,” he said.

Mong Mong Sho Born in 1989 in Maheshkhali, Cox’s Bazar, Mong Mong Sho grew up surrounded by indigenous culture and coastal landscapes that deeply influence his practice. A recipient of a Yunnan provincial scholarship, he completed his Honours in Painting and Master’s in Watercolour at Yunnan Arts University, where he now teaches. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Water-based Media at the China Academy of Art. His work spans watercolour, oil painting, installation art, and site-specific projects.

Ma Baiqi, a graduate of the China Academy of Art, and acclaimed oil and watercolour painter, Academy Host of the Love Watercolor Forum, Director of the Zero One Art Museum, and Head of the Liangjiahan Watercolor Professional Art Village. His works have been showcased in major national and international exhibitions, including the China Oil Painting Exhibition, the China-Japan “Man and Nature” Art Exhibition (Silver Award), the Qingfan International Watercolor Salon, and the 134th Annual Exhibition of the Royal Scottish Watercolor Society. Between 2017–22, he designed and built the Zero One Art Museum and has led over 21 plein-air programmes involving more than 3,000 artists.

Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, President of the Cosmos Foundation (philanthropic arm of the Cosmos Group) in Dhaka, Director ( Energy and Power Department) of POWERCHINA Bangladesh Liu Zhi and third secretary of cultural section of Chinese embassy XIA Daojing spoke at the programme.

In this exchange programme, Artists Mong Mong Sho and Ma Baiqi conducted a comprehensive watercolor workshop, joined by 20 young and promising Bangladeshi artists. The participants learned a wide range of detailed watercolor techniques from the two renowned specialists, gaining valuable insights and hands-on experience throughout the sessions.

Over the past two decades, Gallery Cosmos has successfully carried out numerous international art and cultural exchange programs with countries such as China, India, Ireland, Japan, Pakistan, Romania, Russia, the USA and several others. Continuing that legacy, we are collaborating once again with China. We hope to deepen this partnership and work together more regularly in the future,” said Sourav Chowdhury, Artistic Director of Gallery Cosmos and Curator of the event.

Eminent artists Kanak Chanpa Chakma, Professor and Artist Anisuzzaman Anis, along with other art connoisseurs, were present at the event.