A cultural photography exhibition documenting Asia-Pacific development and traditions opened in Shenzhen on Monday, China Daily reported, serving as a prelude to the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting scheduled to take place in the city next month. Co-organized by China Daily and the Asia News Network, the showcase runs through Friday at the Shenzhen Research Institute of the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Moments of Connection Across the Asia-Pacific
The exhibition centers on the theme “Moments of Connection: Smiles and Hands Across Asia-Pacific”. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Liu Weiling, deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily, noted that the event is an important cultural exchange event during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation’s “China Year”, aligning with this year’s theme, “Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together”. Liu stated, We look forward to using the lens as a medium to capture the warm moments of Asia-Pacific people working hand-in-hand and civilizations integrating with each other, vividly showcasing the moving picture of Asia-Pacific peoples united in solidarity and embracing inclusiveness and shared prosperity
. Warner Cheuk Wing-hing, Hong Kong’s deputy chief secretary for administration, told attendees at the launch that the selected photographs document the Asia-Pacific’s cultural landscape and development stories without relying on words.
This year’s edition received more than 2,200 entries from 330 photographers worldwide. Initially launched in Bangkok in 2022 prior to the 29th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, the Changing Asia photo exhibition subsequently moved to Jakarta in 2023 and appeared in an online format in 2024, drawing participation from shutterbugs representing over 40 countries and territories.
Perspectives From International Photographers and Observers
Italian documentary photographer Emanuele Giacomini, whose photos from the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, India, were selected for the display, emphasized photography’s capacity to bridge distant cultures. The festival was inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2017. Giacomini noted that the exhibition’s focal concept mirrors his personal philosophy toward documentary work: pursuing interpersonal bonds, unscripted actions, and feelings that rise above cultural and religious divisions. Giacomini told China Daily, Photography has the extraordinary ability to bring seemingly distant worlds closer together, creating a silent dialogue between the people portrayed and those viewing the images
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Condon stated, It is really important to show and utilize the soft power of culture and art
, adding that The exhibition’s Asian focus makes it so much more relevant and creates an opportunity for dialogue outside the formal meetings
. Meanwhile, Nay Min Thu, a Myanmar student studying at Prince of Songkla University in Thailand, pointed to Shirkoo Mamagha’s images of peaceful nomadic life in Iran as an example of storytelling through the camera lens. Thu, an amateur photographer, remarked, I have learned that we should take photos that contain stories
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Frequently Asked Questions About the Shenzhen Exhibition
Where is the exhibition located and when does it close?
The exhibition is hosted at the Shenzhen Research Institute of the Chinese University of Hong Kong and runs through Friday.
How many countries and photographers are represented in the current showcase?
The current edition features 97 works by 54 photographers hailing from 17 countries and regions.
What major international event does the exhibition precede?
The showcase opens ahead of the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, which Shenzhen is scheduled to host next month.
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