KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia is set to see a deepened era of cultural and creative collaboration with China, highlighted by the launch of the “Art Beyond National Boundaries: ASEAN Tour of Young Contemporary Artists from China” exhibition.
The exhibition, which is a collection of nearly 100 works by 40 young contemporary artists from China, made its debut in Bangkok earlier this year, making Malaysia its second stop in the regional ASEAN tour.
Officiating the ceremony yesterday, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang said the exhibition symbolized the evolution of Malaysia–China ties.
“Art remains one of the most direct and emotionally resonant bridges between people.
“Bringing this exhibition to the core of TRX aligns with Malaysia’s National Innovation Agenda 2030, where art, technology and culture intersect to foster new growth and collaboration,” Chang said.
Chang also pointed out that hosting the exhibition at the Exchange 106 in TRX aligns with Malaysia’s National Innovation Agenda 2030, where art, technology and culture intersect to foster new growth and collaboration.
This event saw, Seni Malaya, a news art portal, signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Xiamen-based Qiudi Art Centre.
The partnership is intentionally designed for ‘long-term impact rather than a single showcase’, according to IM Sadri, Ruang Teduh Gallery co-founder and curator.
The collaboration will focus on three key areas: China–Malaysia Young Artists Residency Programme (starting 2026): Annual reciprocal residencies in Xiamen and Kuala Lumpur to support emerging talent; Southeast Asia Youth Art Platform: A Kuala Lumpur-based initiative to host curated, youth-focused exhibitions at TRX; Artist Support: Providing full-chain support for young Chinese artists in the region, covering market access, exhibitions, and intellectual property (IP) protection.
Completing the vision, Autumn Mosaic Art Centre founder Xu Mingxing said the collaboration aims to build ‘sustained cultural dialogue’, while General Manager Lee Yang highlighted the reciprocal nature, providing an opportunity for artists in both countries to ‘exchange knowledge and gain exposure in each other’s markets’.
Apart from the core cultural collaboration, Seni Malaya also signed a second MoU to enable the sale of Malaysian art installations directly to Chinese audiences via livestreaming platforms, marking a crucial new commercial model for local art.
The Kuala Lumpur leg of the exhibition is hosted at The Exchange 106, Tun Razak Exchange (TRX). It runs until November 25, featuring talks, guided tours, and youth artist workshops to further engage the public.
Following Malaysia, the exhibition will next travel to Singapore, forming a cultural circuit linking Bangkok–Kuala Lumpur–Singapore.
Among the prominent figures present at the launch were former minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz; Malay Mail publisher Datuk Siew Ka Wei; Exchange 106 chief executive officer Faris Najhan Hashim; and more than 30 entrepreneurs, collectors and cultural representatives from both countries. – November 5, 2025