Malaysia is embarking on an ambitious three-year cultural collaboration with China following the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement between Seni Malaya's Ruang Teduh Gallery and the Xiamen-based Qiudi Art Centre. The partnership was officially launched during the opening of the "Art Beyond National Boundaries: ASEAN Tour of Young Contemporary Artists from China" exhibition at Exchange 106 in Tun Razak Exchange (TRX).
The exhibition, which commemorates the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China, represents the second stop on a regional art tour featuring nearly 100 works by 40 contemporary Chinese artists. The collection previously debuted in Bangkok earlier this year and will continue to Singapore, creating a cultural circuit connecting Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore.
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang, who presided over the opening ceremony, emphasized that the exhibition demonstrates how Malaysia-China relations have evolved beyond traditional trade and technology partnerships into deeper cultural engagement. "Art remains one of the most direct and emotionally resonant bridges between people," Chang stated. He noted that hosting the exhibition at TRX aligns with Malaysia's National Innovation Agenda 2030, where art, technology, and culture intersect to foster new growth and collaboration.
The memorandum of understanding establishes three key areas of cooperation that will shape cultural exchange between the two nations. The China-Malaysia Young Artists Residency Programme, beginning in 2026, will host annual reciprocal residencies in both Xiamen and Kuala Lumpur to support emerging talent. Additionally, a Southeast Asia youth art platform will be developed in Kuala Lumpur, featuring curated youth-focused exhibitions at TRX to establish a regional base for young artists. The partnership will also provide comprehensive support for promoting young Chinese artists in Southeast Asia, including exhibitions, market access, and intellectual property protection.
Ruang Teduh Gallery co-founder and curator IM Sadri explained that the partnership is designed for long-term impact rather than serving as a single showcase. "Our goal is to bring the work of young Chinese artists into the daily cultural fabric of Kuala Lumpur and Southeast Asia," Sadri said. "Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur are the beginning – more cross-city and interdisciplinary collaborations will follow."
Xu Mingxing, founder of Autumn Mosaic Art Centre, expressed enthusiasm about building sustained cultural dialogue through the collaboration. "Our selection of TRX already speaks to the openness and ambition of the platform," Xu stated. "Art knows no borders – genuine cooperation will naturally attract regional and international attention." Lee Yang, general manager of Autumn Mosaic Art Centre, highlighted the mutual benefits for artists in both countries, noting that the agreement will enable Malaysian artists to gain presence in China while providing Chinese-based artists opportunities to market their work in Malaysia.
In addition to the primary partnership agreement, Seni Malaya signed a second memorandum of understanding to facilitate the sale of art installations on China's livestreaming platforms. Seni Malaya editorial lead Irwan Muhammad Zain described this as a groundbreaking model where artworks will be sold live to Chinese audiences. "These two agreements we signed today will open up many opportunities for Malaysian artists and give them a chance for their work to be featured abroad," Irwan explained.
The Kuala Lumpur exhibition will run until November 25, featuring an extensive program of talks, guided tours, and youth artist workshops designed to engage the public and foster deeper appreciation for contemporary Chinese art. The opening ceremony attracted notable attendees including former minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, Malay Mail publisher Datuk Siew Ka Wei, Exchange 106 CEO Faris Najhan Hashim, and more than 30 entrepreneurs, collectors, and cultural representatives from both Malaysia and China, underscoring the significance of this cultural initiative in strengthening bilateral relations.
