“Like Strings of Splendid Beads,” an exhibition of calligraphy and painting works donated by Qu Geping, opened at the Tsinghua University Art Museum in Beijing on March 26.

Qu, a well-known environmentalist and the first director of the State Environmental Protection Bureau, and Chen Xu, Chairperson of Tsinghua University Council, attended the opening ceremony.

Chen expressed her gratitude for Qu’s donation of the exhibition and spoke highly of his role as one of the pioneers of environmental protection in China and one of the founders of environmental education in Chinese colleges and universities.

She also spoke of her appreciation for Qu’s support of Tsinghua and his “outstanding contributions” in developing the university’s environmental science and engineering discipline.

In her speech, Chen said that Qu’s donation of the exhibition is a “precious and affectionate” gift for Tsinghua’s 110th birthday, which will be celebrated in April.

A total of 42 exhibits are from noted calligraphers and painters from the modern age – 40 chosen from Qu’s 48 donated artworks, and two pieces of art that are still in Qu’s collection.

The exhibition is being held at the No 8 Hall of the museum and it will last until May 5.