Surat Thani, July 25th-26th--Confucius Institute at Phuket held promotional activity endorsing Chinese painting at Surat Thani Campus of Prince of Songkla University. This was the second venue for the activity series entitled "Charming Chinese Painting" held by Confucius Institute at Phuket to take place. The whole activity lasted for two days and included Chinese painting lectures and training sessions etc. The activity attracted considerable attention from teachers and students at nearby schools. The activity was enthusiastically participated in by around 40 students and they gained firsthand experience of the unique charms of painting with the use of a writing brush.

Confucius Institute at Phuket, Prince of Songkla University specially invited a Chinese painting lecturer Guo Jingjing to make an introduction for the students outlining the evolution and prominent characteristics of Chinese painting as well as the use of various painting tools. In order to make everyone understand the characteristics of Chinese painting art better, Guo Jingjing made a demonstration, painting a lotus in Chinese ink and water colors. The students were learning whilst painting in high spirits. With the meticulous guidance of teacher, they put their rich imaginations into the Chinese painting process and created various works demonstrating different characteristics. The activity proceeded with a joyous and cheerful atmosphere. Finally, the students displayed their own works and posed for a group photo with teacher Guo Jingjing to mark the occasion. They expressed their keen interest for Chinese painting and infinite admiration of Chinese culture.

The "Charming Chinese Painting" series of activities served as an important means for Confucius Institute at Phuket, Prince of Songkla University to promote Chinese culture, deepen communications in diverse fields, between China and other nations and stimulate the development of cooperation between China and the international community. Such Chinese painting promotional activities will continue in Phuket and Trang in southern Thailand. It is believed that greater numbers of people will gain a richer understanding of Chinese culture and more comprehensive knowledge of China through Chinese paintings.

A group photo taken to mark the occasion,
showing teachers and students bearing the fruits of their labour