Australia: The"2004 Chinese New Year Exhibition of Original Painting and Calligraphy by 19th and 20th Century Chinese Masters" Is Held

To celebrate the Chinese Spring Festival, the "2004 Chinese New Year Exhibition of Original Painting and Calligraphy by 19th and 20th Century Chinese Masters" opened in Sydney with a grand opening ceremony on January 13, 2004. The exhibition will be held from January 14 to February 7. The exhibition will display about 60 works from renowned artists such as Qi Baishi, Zhang Daqian, Xu Beihong, Fu Baoshi, Pan Tianshou, Huang Binhong, Guan Shanyue, Lu Yanshao as well as some Qing emperors, ministers and warlords.

The exhibition is hosted by the Australian-Chinese Cultural and Art Association. Mr. Dongni Dai, the chairman of the association who is also a Falun Gong practitioner, gave a speech at the ceremony. He introduced the history of these authentic works collected by his family. Through this exhibition, he also hoped to introduce the essence of Chinese traditional culture to Australians, especially Chinese Australians. Meanwhile, he also took the opportunity to call on the Australian government and people from all walks of life to pay closer attention to Jiang regime's persecution against Falun Gong. He pointed out that there are still many innocent Falun Gong practitioners being held and tortured in prisons and labour camps while people are celebrating Chinese Spring Festival. Among them, Qi Binshu, granddaughter of the renowned painter, Qi Baishi, is still being held against her will in a mental hospital in Beijing for her belief in Falun Gong. She is more than 70 years old, yet she is still subject to inhuman mental torture. She cannot paint any more because of the persecution.

Mr. Dai said, "Qi Binshu is also a painter. We call on all kind-hearted people to pay closer attention to her case and rescue her, the granddaughter of one of China's greatest painters."

Several federal and state officials and MPs cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony and gave speeches. Australian Prime Minister Mr. John Howard, governor of New South Wales (NSW) Mr. Bo Car, NSW Opposition Leader John Brogden, and more than 20 ministers and representatives sent congratulatory letters, wishing the exhibition great success and condemning Jiang regime's persecution against Falun Gong.

The Hon. Ross Cameron, MP, read a message from Prime Minister Howard, the Prime Minister wrote: "...this exhibition is an excellent opportunity to showcase the beauty and richness of traditional Chinese art and culture. I am sure many Australians will welcome the opportunity to see these significant works and will leave with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the contribution of Chinese culture and the Chinese community to Australian society..." The Hon Ross Cameron, MP, is Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer and honorary chairman of Australian-Chinese Cultural and Art Association. Leaders of some cultural groups and representatives from Chinese groups and some famous figures in Chinese circles also attended the ceremony.

Former chairman of the Prime Minster's Election Campaign Committee, Mr. Steve Sim, expressed his deep sympathy for Qi Binshu's plight and firm objection to Jiang regime's persecution against Falun Gong.

Dr. Arthur Chesterfield-Evans, Member of the Legislative Council, also indicated that he would try his best to help rescue Falun Gong practitioners persecuted in China. He is a member of NSW Upper House and Leader of Australian Democrats NSW Division.

Mr. Jon Soemarjono, chairman of NSW Indonesian Association, said that he just realized that Falun Gong is very good and peaceful after hearing Falun Gong practitioner Mr. Guo's introduction of Falun Gong. Because Falun Gong is a very good practice that teaches people to follow the principles of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance," as the Indonesian community leader he would not only learn more about Falun Gong, but also encourage more Indonesian Australians to come to learn about Falun Gong ...

The recipient of the Outstanding Australian Award, Ruth Chong, said that persecuting art master Qi Baishi's granddaughter Qi Binshu is one of the worst things committed by Jiang's regime, and it is a crime against China and all Chinese people. She went on to say that the move that Falun Gong practitioners made to sue Jiang is a right thing.

Ms Hongxin Chen is a PhD student of University of New South Wales. She said: "Five years have passed since Mainland China banned Falun Gong in July, 1999. This is a crime against all Chinese people, as well as the world's people, committed by Jiang's regime. I didn't know that Qi Baishi's granddaughter was also being persecuted for her belief in Falun Gong. After I read the preface of this exhibition, I have learned of her plight. I am outraged by the fact that anyone in China would be persecuted, imprisoned or maltreated for practicing Falun Gong. I am saddened by this and hope that this kind of thing won't happen again in China. In my view, Falun Gong is an extraordinary group. I admire them. I feel that they have demonstrated the good side of human nature. They are pursuing the meaning of life, and they dare to safeguard the dignity of human life with their own lives. From this aspect, their endurance and courage are rarely seen in China's history of five thousand years. From the aspect of world culture heritage, this essential character inherited by them also deserves our respect."

All the Sydney Chinese Media reported the news of the Exhibition Opening Ceremony.

Appendix:

Prime Minister Howard's Message to the Exhibition: