Chinese president writes introduction for art exhibition

Ten painting masterpieces which are hallmarks of French art history are on display at the National Museum of China. The paintings include famous works by Rigaud, Renoir and Picasso, and have caused quite a stir among art aficionados. They've also attracted the attention of Chinese president Xi Jinping, who has written an introduction to mark the occasion.

Xi Jinping says that the exchange between Chinese and French museums has a significant role in sino-French cultural cooperations. The ten masterpieces on loan from five French museums enable Chinese people to learn the power of art. Moreover, by comparing them with Chinese art, viewers can appreciate the unflagging spirit of humanism by artists of the two countries.

The ten pieces, which have never before left Paris, include Rigaud's most famous work "Louis the 14th", Renoir's "Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette" and Pablo Picasso's "Matador". The exhibition is commemorating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France, and will be on display at the National Museum of China until June the 15th.