Diversity, dynamism and openness are central to an art exhibition that opened on Friday at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing ahead of next week's Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations.

Themed "Shared Inspiration", the exhibition includes 130 paintings, lithographs and sculptures by artists from 41 countries. It runs through May 26.

It is one of several exhibitions staged under the framework of the Joint Exhibition of Asian Civilizations that celebrate the inaugural dialogue, which opens on Wednesday.