Kathmandu, December 28
A Sino-Nepalese Thangka and Paubha masterpiece exhibition, along with the launch of the book “Dialogue Across Mountains: A Collection of Fine Thangkas from China and Nepal,” was held recently at the United Art Center in Beijing to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Nepal.
According to a press statement, the event was jointly organised by Sichuan Fine Arts Publishing House and the Arniko Friendship House (Beijing) Cultural Exchange Center, with support from the Embassy of Nepal in China, the Beijing Charity Wanli Foundation, and the Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal.
Senior officials, artists, scholars, and cultural representatives from both countries attended the opening ceremony. Among them were former State Council consultant Hu Peiyuan; Beijing Charity Wanli Foundation Honorary President Wan Bo’ao and President Xie Nianjing; former Deputy Director of the State Council’s Bureau of Religious Affairs Jiang Jianyong; Nepal’s Chargé d’Affaires to China, Roshan Karnal; Cultural Counsellor Sabita Nakarmi; and noted artists and cultural leaders from China and Nepal.
Published by Sichuan Fine Arts Publishing House, the book is co-authored by Qiao Guojin, founder of the Arniko Friendship House, and Liu Zhongjun, a first-class artist at the Sichuan Art Museum. The collection features 99 artworks, including 66 original Nepali Paubha paintings and 33 Chinese Xizang (Thangka) paintings, symbolising the enduring friendship between the two countries. The publication also includes scholarly articles by Nepali artist Ujay Bajracharya and Chinese artist Liu Zhongjun.
Speaking at the event, Chargé d’Affaires Roshan Karnal said the book reflects the long-standing cultural exchanges and shared spiritual heritage between Nepal and China. She noted that the collection would serve as an important reference for Thangka and Paubha enthusiasts and future artists.
Nepali artist Ujay Bajracharya highlighted that Paubha is a traditional Nepali Buddhist painting created on cotton canvas. He also acknowledged Qiao Guojin’s long-standing contribution to promoting Nepali Paubha art in China. Qiao has been collecting Paubha works since 2008 and received Nepal’s Arniko Award in 2018 for his contributions to cultural exchange.
A book donation ceremony was also held, during which copies were presented to the Embassy of Nepal in China and the Hebei Academy of Fine Arts.
The exhibition, featuring works by contemporary Chinese and Nepali artists, will run until January 5, 2026. During the exhibition period, the “Dialogue Across Mountains – Sino-Nepalese Art Salon” will be organised to facilitate discussions on artistic traditions and cross-cultural exchange, further strengthening people-to-people ties between the two Himalayan neighbours.
