The installation features two larger-than-life decorated teapots, symbolising the love of tea in both countries. Photo provided to China Daily

The Sino-UK Year of Cultural Exchange Closing Ceremony was celebrated last week in London, wrapped up with a showcase of major China-UK art, featuring the art work "Inclusive," in which Chinese and British artists worked jointly on a twin tea-pot installation.

The installation featured two larger-than-life decorated teapots, symbolising the love of tea in both countries.

This exchange was formally announced during Premier Li Keqiang's visit to the UK in June 2014 and comprised two phases.

The UK season in China ran from 2015 March to July and was led by the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy; the Chinese season in the UK was organised by the Chinese Ministry of Culture and ran in the second half of the year 2015.

"China-UK Year of Cultural Exchange has pushed the bilateral ties in cultural sector to a historic new high with a great leap forward in development," said Xiang Xiaowei, Minister Counsellor for Culture from the Chinese Embassy in the UK at the ceremony.

"Take the China Season as an example, which focuses on Creative China. We presented more than 60 events in the UK covering performing arts, design, and new media, attended by a direct audience population over a million, during which, several tens of cooperative agreements or consensus had been reached." Xiang added.

Whilst displaying traditional Chinese culture which is profound and inclusive, Xiang said the China-UK Year also showcased cultural innovation and creativity achieved since China's opening up and reform.

Various events were also organized to discuss collaborative strength and prospects in creative sectors of the two countries.

Xiang said Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to the UK last year opened up a new era for Sino-UK relations, adding "culture will thus play a more essential role in promoting understanding and mutual trust between our two countries by deepening exchanges and cooperation in arts like what we do today in order to lay a solid foundation for China UK relations."

As one of China's priorities, Xiang emphasized that the cooperation in creative sectors will be mutually beneficial and prosperous as China has a bigger market and strong investment while the UK has better management, expertise and knowhow.

"I believe, with more support from our two governments and people, and with the success of the China UK Year of Cultural Exchange, the cooperation between our two countries in cultural sector will be bound to rise to a new level while contributing more to China UK relations in ‘golden times', Xiang added.

The theme for the UK season in China was announced when Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, visited China early last year. 'The Next Generation' included a series of contemporary, adventurous, multi-disciplinary and innovative digital media works.

A new online portal ‘UK NOW' was also launched in March 2015 and brought artists from both countries together to showcase the best in the contemporary digital arts.

The GREAT Festival of Creativity in Shanghai was the high point of the UK season, which explored the role of innovation and creativity in commercial success, as well as bringing together Chinese and British industries.

British Council said, the 2015 China-UK Year of Cultural Exchange provides an opportunity to strengthen existing relationships and build new links between individuals and organizations in the arts and creative industries, as well as between governments.

Nigel Rolfe, Professor of Fine Art at Royal College of Art, who also attended the ceremony, said the exchange was very positive and refreshing, and was of great significance in terms of encouraging more open and good cultural interchange and relations, and bringing constructive goodness to the world.

It opens up what is possible not only in the future but also in the here and now, said Rolfe, adding "the heritage in this set of relations by Government endorses good educational basis and should foster better exchange on many levels we hope."

To contact the reporter: wangmingjie@mail.chinadailyuk.com