The Ukraine diplomats' visit "adds a new dimension to the Spring Festival-themed art exhibition that not only celebrates the advent of the Year of Ox but also eulogizes the global efforts to fight the COVID-19," said Wu Weishan, dean of the National Art Museum of China.

2021 marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of a strategic partnership between China and Ukraine, and the year 2022 marks the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations. "The National Art Museum of China will work with the Ukrainian embassy in Beijing to further bilateral cultural exchanges in the coming years," said Wu, who himself is a famed sculptor.