The overseas branch of the Chinese Poetry, Calligraphy and Painting Seminar was inaugurated on Sunday in Beijing.

The overseas branch provides a platform for art groups or organizations as well as art lovers around the world to promote painting and calligraphy art, according to Chen Shifu, president of the seminar. Besides, it will actively conduct cultural exchanges, expand contacts with overseas artists, and promote the excellence of traditional Chinese culture overseas.

Attending the launch ceremony were Su Shishu and Li Dongdong, vice-presidents of the seminar; Liu Zhenqi and Yang Zhijin, counselors of the seminar; as well as other scholars and experts from arts circles.

Zhou Bing, director of the Institute of Long Modern Art in Shanghai, was appointed chairman of the overseas branch of the seminar, Li Zhaoyin as the honorary chairman, as well as Li Xinzhan the vice-chairman and Su Yiqun the executive secretary general.

So far, the overseas branch has been preparing to set up overseas councils in Japan and Australia. In the future, it will tap into Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines, poised to be a major entity in promoting cultural exchanges between Chinese art and overseas art.