34th world congress of art history opens in Beijing

BEIJING, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- The 34th World Congress of Art History opened in Beijing Friday, gathering over 400 experts from 43 countries and regions.

The five-day event is jointly sponsored by the International Committee of the History of Art, the China Central Academy of Fine Arts and Peking University. A total of 21 seminars will be organized to showcase the latest achievements of China and the world's study of art history.

Special reports, art exhibitions and book fairs are expected during the congress.

At the opening ceremony, Shao Dazhen, director of the Chinese organizing committee of the congress, said it was expected that the academic discussion would not only strengthen friendship between Chinese and foreign scholars, but also contribute to the diversity of world art and deepen understanding of Chinese art history.

Ulrich Grossmann, chairman of the International Committee of the History of Art, said the committee will work with China over several days to build a bridge between eastern and western art history.

The congress has been organized every four years since 1873. It is the first time China has hosted the congress.