A visitor looks at a picture on display at an exhibition of paintings by Han and Tibetan artists in Rome, capital of Italy, October 23, 2009. The nine-day exhibition kicking off here on Friday features 60 paintings depicting the extraordinary landscape of China's Tibet and the region's social and economic development, giving the Italians and other Europeans an opportunity to enjoy the natural scenery and traditional customs of China's Tibet. [Xinhua]

An exhibition of paintings by Han and Tibetan artists opened on Friday, giving the Italians and other Europeans an opportunity to enjoy the natural scenery and traditional customs of China's Tibet.

The nine-day exhibition, held in the Venice Palace in downtown Rome, features 60 paintings depicting the extraordinary landscape of Tibet and the region's social and economic development.

"The exhibition of the Snow-Covered Plateau -- Chinese Painting Works opened today in Rome, a city with profound cultural heritage and outstanding artistic achievements," Wang Chen, minister in charge of the State Council Information Office of China, said at the opening ceremony.

China and Italy have witnessed a long history of cultural communications, and the exhibition of the art works on Tibet was the continuation of such exchanges and highlighted the connotation of the new era in bilateral friendly relations, he said.

"It is of special significance in pushing forward bilateral cultural exchanges and promoting friendship," said the Chinese official.

"Art is a common language of the mankind and paintings are the most direct way of communications," Wang said.

He said that visitors could see the beautiful scenery of the snow-covered plateau and the tremendous changes Tibet has experienced in the past 50 years through the displayed fine art works by well-known Chinese artists.

Eight Chinese artists, half of them Tibetans, led by Vice President of the China Federation of Literacy and Art Circles Feng Yuan, attended the opening ceremony.

The exhibition was sponsored by China's State Council Information Office and Artists Association, the Chinese Embassy in Italy and the Italy-China Foundation.

President of the Foundation Cesare Romiti echoed Wang on the same occasion, urging for more bilateral cultural exchanges in the future.

Another week-long exhibition of the same theme will start on Monday in Italy's northern city of Milan, with 58 paintings on display.

The exhibitions follow a two-day forum on the development of Tibet in Rome, at which more than 20 Chinese and foreign government officials, experts, scholars and entrepreneurs spoke on the advancement of China's Tibet and how to explore opportunities for cooperation in various sectors.

The forum attracted more than 400 participants from China, Italy, Austria, the United States, India, Australia, Spain and Belgium.

A man visits an exhibition of paintings by Han and Tibetan artists in Rome, capital of Italy, October 24, 2009. [Xinhua]

(Xinhua News Agency October 24, 2009)