Hundreds of Chinese calligraphers and ink painters from home and abroad have gathered in Beijing to exchange views on nurturing the traditional art in a new era.

The conference opened on Saturday and ends tomorrow at the Wukesong Hotel.

Meanwhile, an exhibition of Chinese calligraphy and ink painting by the artists is being held at the exhibition hall of the Research Institute of Chinese Painting.

The events are jointly sponsored by the Hong Kong Society of Calligraphy and Painting, the Central Government Branch of the Chinese Calligraphers Association and some other art institutions in Beijing.

"We hope the conference and exhibition will prove to be a significant effort to enhance communication among Chinese artists from home and abroad," said Zhou Changhu, an organizer and president of the Hong Kong organization.

The last day of the conference will see the artists demonstrating their skills on the spot, expected to be the highlight of the event, Zhou said.

"Chinese society is becoming more commercialized, and the influence of Western trends are prevalent," remarked Beijing-based calligrapher Gu Xi. "Some Chinese artists are reluctant to learn from splendid tradition, which is, in fact, harmful for traditional art and artists of today,"

Similar activities will be organized at home and abroad, said Liu Yun, co-organizer of the event.

"We are negotiating on such projects in Shandong Province and Chicago in the Unites States," Liu said.

(China Daily April 16, 2002)