Children perform to celebrate the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relationship between China and Cuba, as well as the 162 anniversary of José Martí's birth. Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn

"American States in Yuan Xikun's Eyes: Preservation and Transformation" sculpture exhibition (including the sculpture of José Martí) was held in Washington at the sculpture garden of the Organization of American States. The exhibition lasted six months and was praised by diplomats and visitors from all over the world.

On July, when Professor Yuan visited five Latin American countries that have not yet established diplomatic relationship with China, it coincided with President Xi's visit to Cuba, and he presented the sculpture of Fidel Castro, which was created by Yuan, as the state gift to Fidel Castro himself. As an ambassador of public artistic diplomacy, Yuan has contributed to the development of soft power.

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