A man takes photos of an exhibit at "Art and Peace: Contemporary Chinese Works" exhibition at Mexico's National Museum of Cultures in Mexico City, capital of Mexico, Aug. 14, 2019. (Xinhua/Francisco Canedo)

The exhibition features 40 pieces of works of artists who captured their memories and visual impressions of their journeys to different places in the countries along the Belt and Road -- the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

MEXICO CITY, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- An exhibition of paintings, etchings and sculptures by contemporary Chinese artists was inaugurated Wednesday night here at Mexico's National Museum of Cultures.

Titled "Art and Peace: Contemporary Chinese Works," the exhibition features 40 pieces of works of artists who captured their memories and visual impressions of their journeys to different places in the countries along the Belt and Road -- the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

At the inauguration ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Mexico Zhu Qingqiao said the display makes it possible to illustrate the importance of the Belt and Road Initiative which was proposed by China in 2013, through art.

"The paintings, sculptures and images show China's desire to build a community with shared future for mankind," Zhu said.

The world now faces a period of development and major transformations amid new risks and challenges, said the Chinese diplomat.

China will continue supporting peace, development and cooperation for mutual benefit, which are the "mainstream of our times," he said.

Zhu's remarks were echoed by Diego Prieto, director of the National Institute of Anthropology and History of Mexico, who stressed the importance of cultivation of the traditional friendship and cultural exchanges between Mexico and China.

Prieto said that more than 250 years ago, the traditional friendship and heartfelt affection between the peoples of China and Mexico started to grow along the ancient maritime Silk Road, and in the future it "will keep growing stronger."

"Mexico has a lot to learn ... We have a lot to learn from everybody's experience and without a doubt, from China, since it is a great civilization with undeniable contributions," he said.