He voiced his belief that the exhibits "will open a new chapter in the cultural exchange between the Chinese people and the Vatican, so that there is a new approach and understanding between two countries with a deep cultural tradition."
As the first of its kind, the event holds significant meaning in terms of mutual understanding and trust between the two parties, he said, and, quoting the third century BC philosopher Han Fei, said, "relations between nations depend on the closeness of peoples, and the closeness of peoples depends on the communication of hearts."
"We all know that this is also the thought of Pope Francis," he said, adding that "cultural exchange precedes diplomacy."
The exhibits, then, are an event that "crosses borders, time and unites cultures, and which will further strengthen the friendship between China and the Vatican in favor of the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and the Holy See."
In his comments, Zhang said it was "a great honor" to be at the Vatican, where there is currently an increase in the "strong commitment for the development of civil relations between China and the Vatican."
On behalf of the 1.38 million people of Chinese nationality, Zhang expressed his "sincere homage to the true friendship of Pope Francis," and to all those who have contributed to the cultural exchanges between China and the Vatican.
The two simultaneous exhibits, he said, "represent the two ends of a bridge of civil dialogue – as a messenger of this cultural exchange, it is my pleasure and privilege to transmit the greeting and friendship of the Chinese people."
The artist stressed that no matter what nation we come from or what creed we profess, "nothing in the world is irrelevant with us."
"Even Chinese culture and the Vatican need communication and exchange, as with all cultures on the earth," he said, adding that the "disinterested friendship" between China and Pope Francis and the idea that we are all one family "push men to rethink the relationship between humanity, life, society and nature."
"The aesthetics of art," he said, "will reveal in us the complete awareness of the environment, benevolence and tolerance. Dialogue among us is possible and inevitable because of our common sense of benevolence."
Elise Harris was senior Rome correspondent for CNA from 2012 to 2018.