Secretary-General praises Chinese master painter Wang Shuping for tireless work

‘to promote understanding through art’ as United Nations exhibit opens

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message at the launch of an exhibition of the paintings of Wang Shuping, delivered by Kiyotaka Akasaka, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, in New York, 17 December:

It is an honour for the United Nations to host this exhibition of the works of Wang Shuping -- one of the foremost masters of traditional Chinese painting.  We are very grateful to China’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations for making this possible.

Mr. Wang’s paintings can be found in many important places in China, including Tian An Men Tower and the Great Hall of the People.  Today, I am pleased to see that his works have travelled thousands of miles to this “Great Hall of the World” -- United Nations Headquarters.

His paintings have also been seen in Asia, Europe and Latin America.

But it is not only the paintings that travel; Mr. Wang himself is a cultural envoy who has worked tirelessly to promote understanding through art across the world.

These tranquil flower and bird paintings show the artist’s love of nature and peace.  Mr. Wang is most famous for his eagle paintings representing his broad view of the world and lofty vision for the future.

In this he shares much in common with the United Nations, which is dedicated to realizing the noble principles enshrined in the Charter.

I believe guests tonight will see the beauty of the world through Mr. Wang’s eyes.  Representatives meeting here at the United Nations to address global problems can also be inspired by his determination and vision.

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For information media • not an official record