Amman, May 17 (Petra) -- A major Chinese cultural exhibition titled "Horses Herald the Spring" - The Global Exhibition of Chinese Zodiac Culture for the Year of the Bingwu Horse" officially opened at the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts on Sunday evening.

The opening ceremony was attended by Princess Wijdan Al-Hashemi, President of the Board of Trustees of the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts, and was officially inaugurated by Minister of Culture Mustafa Rawashdeh.

Guo Wei, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Jordan, delivered a speech noting that the exhibition operates under the oversight of China's National Cultural Heritage Administration and the Chinese Embassy in Amman. The event was jointly organized by the China Cultural Center in Amman and the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts.

Ambassador Guo highlighted the deep historical ties between China and Jordan, describing both as ancient civilizations whose peoples have been closely linked for millennia via the historic Silk Road. He noted that hosting this zodiac exhibition in Amman serves as a vivid reflection of modern cultural exchange and mutual brilliance between the two nations.

In traditional Chinese culture, the horse holds an esteemed position, symbolizing speed, strength, and the "spirit of the dragon and horse" a cultural concept representing self-improvement, vitality, determination, and a national drive toward leadership and excellence, Guo explained.

The ambassador, speaking at the ceremony introduced by Ahmad Al-Aqrabawi, Assistant Director of the China Cultural Center, drew parallels to Arab culture, where the Arabian horse enjoys a similarly high status. He noted that Arabian horses are globally renowned for their pedigree, resilience, loyalty, and elegance, standing as symbols of power, glory, and traditional Arab pride.

The exhibition was collaboratively planned by the China Cultural Relics News and more than 50 Chinese museums. It features a curated selection of over 400 representative photographs of artifacts and artworks centered around horses, interpreting the animal's grace and power across multiple dimensions, including natural ecology, history, culture, and folk arts.

Guo praised the deepening partnership between China and Jordan in recent years, guided by Chinese President Xi Jinping and His Majesty King Abdullah II. He added that the success of this exhibition proves that art is the shortest path between nations, continually deepening mutual understanding between the two peoples.

Attended by the Director of the China Cultural Center in Amman, Zhao Xiaoqiang, the ambassador reaffirmed China's readiness to further deepen cultural and humanitarian exchanges to propel bilateral cooperation to new heights.

Khalid Khreis, Director General of the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts, also addressed the audience, reviewing the gallery's history, functions, and various local and international activities. He highlighted major exhibitions organized in collaboration with prominent Jordanian, Arab, and international artists, alongside partnerships with foreign embassies to showcase Jordanian and broader Arab culture globally.

The exhibition, which attracted a large opening-night audience, features photographic panels expressing the culture of the Chinese zodiac and the historic role of the horse to mark the Year of the Horse according to the traditional Chinese calendar for 2026.

The showcase runs until June 10 and features representations of artworks and antiquities spanning more than 4,000 years of Chinese history.

//Petra// AF

17/05/2026 22:50:15