The Beijing-Taipei Painting Exhibition kicked off at the China Millennium Monument in Beijing on Thursday.

Sun Jusheng, 97, a famous painter from east China's Zhejiang Province draws a picture at the Beijing-Taipei Painting Exhibition which kicked off at the China Millennium Monument in Beijing, June 24, 2010. [CRI]

Since the Beijing-Taipei Art Festival was officially launched a couple of weeks ago, large-scale city-to-city cultural exchange activities have been held in Beijing with this painting exhibition being an important part among them.

Tian Henian, the former undersecretary of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, said after he visited the exhibition, "The cross-Straits cultures share the same root, so it is quite necessary to boost communications and make cultural improvements together. I believe the flower of cross-Straits communication will flourish more and more."

Zhao Wulong, 59, a famous calligrapher from Beijing, was so glad to see his own work was shown at the exhibition. "I wrote with my heart because I took this opportunity to express my expectations of the national reunification by my writings."

Zhao said he was becoming more interested in Taiwan art after his visit there in March. During his visit, he was impressed by Taiwan art which is rooted in traditional Chinese culture.

When talking about the exhibition, Zhao spoke highly of it by saying, "it promotes the communication of our cultures, boosts the communication of hearts and strengthens the communication of arts."

Not only have mainland artists appreciated this event, but artists from Taiwan have also enjoyed the exhibition as well.

Zhao Songjun, a painter from Taipei and her pictures at the Beijing-Taipei Painting Exhibition which kicked off at the China Millennium Monument in Beijing, June 24, 2010. [CRI]

Zhao Songjun, a female painter from Taipei, was born in the Zhoushan Archipelago in the East China Sea. She came to Beijing with her paintings for the arts festival. She said she returned with her love for the motherland. "I drew the three pictures from my heart and especially for this exhibition, because I want to show people on the mainland my best paintings."

Zhao thought the exhibition enhanced the harmonious relationship between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan. She said, "This exhibition gives the artists from the mainland and Taiwan an opportunity to communicate and appreciate each other's work. Art is beautiful, so it can enrich our life and make life better for everyone."

A calligraphy masterpiece exhibited at the Beijing-Taipei Painting Exhibition which kicked off at the China Millennium Monument in Beijing, June 24, 2010. [CRI]

This particular painting exhibition will run until June 30th and the Beijing-Taipei Arts Festival, which kicked off on June 13th with a traditional music concert performed by the Taipei Chinese Orchestra at the National Center for the Performing Arts, will run until July 4.