The 'Changing Asia' photo exhibition has officially opened in Shenzhen, marking a significant cultural milestone ahead of the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting scheduled for next month. Co-organized by China Daily and the Asia News Network, the exhibition is hosted at the Shenzhen Research Institute of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Running through Friday, the event is centered around the theme “Moments of Connection: Smiles and Hands Across Asia-Pacific,” serving as a visual testament to regional solidarity and cultural integration.

A Cultural Prelude to the 33rd APEC Leaders' Meeting

The timing of the exhibition is highly strategic, positioned as a major cultural exchange initiative during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation's “China Year.” By aligning with the broader APEC theme of “Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together,” the exhibition seeks to foster mutual understanding among member economies through the universal medium of photography.

Liu Weiling, deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily, emphasized the role of visual storytelling in bridging cultural divides. According to Liu, the organizers look forward to using the lens as a medium to capture the warm moments of Asia-Pacific people working hand-in-hand and civilizations integrating with each other. This approach vividly showcases the moving picture of Asia-Pacific peoples united in solidarity, embracing inclusiveness and shared prosperity.

By focusing on human-centric imagery, the exhibition provides a soft-power complement to the highly formalized economic and political discussions that characterize the upcoming APEC summit. It establishes a shared cultural ground that underscores the human element behind regional policy and economic cooperation.

Visual Diplomacy and the Power of Wordless Narrative

The opening ceremony drew key administrative and cultural figures, highlighting the political and social significance of the event. Warner Cheuk Wing-hing, Hong Kong's deputy chief secretary for administration, noted during his visit that the photographs successfully document the Asia-Pacific's cultural landscape and development stories without relying on words.

Cheuk pointed out that the exhibition highlights the core spirit of this year's APEC. It offers visitors a rare glimpse of the region's growing mutual understanding and connection, alongside achievements in inclusive, shared development. This form of visual diplomacy allows complex narratives of progress, community, and heritage to be communicated instantly across language barriers.

The utility of art as a diplomatic tool was further supported by Bill Condon, an adviser to the think tank Our Hong Kong Foundation. Condon praised the quality and diversity of the selected photographs, noting that it is highly important to show and utilize the soft power of culture and art. He observed that the exhibition's specific Asian focus makes it highly relevant, creating a valuable opportunity for dialogue outside the formal meetings.

Curating the Asia-Pacific: A Global Photographic Tapestry

The scale of the exhibition reflects its global appeal and the rigorous standards of its curation. The selection process highlights the following key metrics:

  • Over 2,200 entries submitted by 330 photographers globally.
  • A curated selection of 97 works representing the vision of 54 photographers.
  • Representation spanning 17 countries and regions across the globe.

These selected works are curated to capture the “smiles” and “hands” of Asia-Pacific people, portraying a shared future of inclusive prosperity. The focus on these universal symbols—smiles representing joy and mutual goodwill, and hands representing labor, cooperation, and connection—serves to unify the diverse geographic and cultural landscapes represented in the collection.

Human Connections Across Borders: Photographer Perspectives

Among the featured contributors is Emanuele Giacomini, a documentary photographer based in Italy. Giacomini's selected work includes a set of photos taken at the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, India—a massive festival that was inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2017.

Giacomini shared that photography possesses an extraordinary ability to bring seemingly distant worlds closer together, creating a silent dialogue between the people portrayed and those viewing the images. He explained that the exhibition's theme directly reflects his personal approach to documentary photography, which focuses on seeking human connections, spontaneous gestures, and emotions that transcend cultural and religious differences.

The educational and inspirational impact of the exhibition was also evident among younger attendees. Nay Min Thu, a Myanmar student studying at Prince of Songkla University in Thailand, expressed deep appreciation for the narrative depth of the collection. He was particularly moved by Shirkoo Mamagha's images capturing peaceful moments of nomadic communities in Iran. Reflecting on the experience, Thu noted that the exhibition taught him the importance of taking photos that contain deep stories, highlighting how visual media can inspire the next generation of storytellers across the region.