The painting exhibition Two World Expo Cities: When Sakura Meets Magnolia opened on July 29 at Expo 2025 Osaka.

Showcasing 38 original paintings by youth artists from Shanghai and Osaka, the exhibition offers a fresh perspective on each other's cities through the lens of youth.

The paintings reflect urban culture, natural scenery, traditional craftsmanship, and imaginative visions of the future.

Shanghai hosted the World Expo in 2010, forging a new bond now revisited through art.

As part of the broader 2025 International Youth Creative Art Exhibition, the show is on a six-day rotation between the Yoshimoto Pavilion and the China Pavilion at the Osaka Expo site.

Some paintings use vibrant colors and whimsical imagery to highlight cultural ties between the two cities, while others incorporate iconic anime characters to creatively link landmarks in Shanghai and Osaka.

At the opening, nearly 20 young representatives from China and Japan unveiled their artworks, and six young ambassadors exchanged paintings and handmade gifts in a gesture of friendship.

Later this year, the exhibition will continue in Shanghai, with stops at the China Art Museum, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, and major transit hubs.

Xue Jian, China's consul general in Osaka, praised the event as a meaningful platform for strengthening long-term ties between the younger generations of both nations.

Source: Shanghai Observer