Chen Zhixiang, a teacher from Chinese embassy's Sunshine school, hosted the opening ceremony. He is the one who comes up with the idea of this exhibition when he brought Nantong's typical art education into his UK classes.

Chen said: "We hope to let more people, especially many Chinese in overseas companies, know more about the culture of our homeland and the life of our children."

Deputy director of Tongzhou Education Bureau, Hu Qinghua, said he believes the exhibition can epitomize the local art education, build up a bridge for the friendship between Chinese and British students and enhance the cultural exchange in both countries.

"Childish the artworks may seem," Hu added, "but they demonstrate the love toward the home country, the wish for world peace and the pursuit for a better life."

"It's so impressive! I'm thinking oh my goodness it's another world!" said Synnove Engeset, one of the visitors from Norway. "I have been to China quite a few times. I used to be an actress and I'm interested in art as well, but this is so interesting because it's a real thing and it's done by children!"

The ceremony ended with a show of tea art, performed by a student from Nanjing Normal University, where purple clay pots were presented to all the guests.

Shen Yingwen, executive director from Phoenix Publishing and Media Group and Xie Guiquan, chief of London Chinatown Chinese Association also attended the ceremony.

Zhang Yangfei in London contributed to this story.

Calligraphy works by Chinese primary school students are shown on an art exhibition in London, UK on July 17, 2017. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]