A launch ceremony for the Silk Road International Alliance of Art Museum and Galleries was held at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing on June 19.

Yu Qun, member of the leadership of China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, attended the ceremony, along with 24 representatives of national galleries and art institutions from 18 countries related to the Belt and Road Initiative.

Yu extended his congratulations on the establishment of the alliance. He said cultural exchanges based on the spirit of the Silk Road is an important aspect of the Belt and Road Initiative.

"In the past five years, China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism has been devoted to the promotion of exchanges among art and culture institutions from countries related to the Initiative. The alliance is one such fruit from the exchanges. It will provide a platform for international art museums and galleries to communicate," Yu said.

"We expect alliance with other unions could see more cultural achievements based on various communications and activities."

Wu Weishan, director of the National Art Museum of China, said the museum has had a series of exchanges with galleries from countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, including exhibitions and forums. The galleries union will strengthen cultural exchanges and bring art cooperation to a new level.

The first conference of the Forum of Silk Road International Alliance of Art Museum and Galleries was held after the ceremony.

During the five-day forum, the museum will hold an exhibition featuring 17 art pieces from 14 countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.