Liu Dawei, executive vice president of the Chinese Artists Association, was elected the new president of the International Association of Art (IAA) at the association's 16th general assembly on Saturday.
   
Delegates from 45 IAA member countries elected their new executive committee (EXCO) at the on-going 16th general assembly in the east China city of Hefei, Anihui Province. The conference program also includes a summing up of the previous session's work and a forum.
   
"I'm very proud to have been elected," Liu said, "I hope to use my presidency to help promote exchanges between the Chinese and international art communities, and enhance the roles and voice of Chinese artists in the organization."
   
The other 11 EXCO members come from Kuwait, Mexico, Japan, Sweden, France, Mauritius, South Africa, Norway, Brazil and Germany.
   
The association's revised constitution increases the interval between assembly sittings from three years to four, and reduces required EXCO members from 13 to 11.
   
The world's most prestigious painters, sculptors, fine arts critics, members of the presidium of the CAA and artists from across China attended the three-day assembly.
   
Headquartered in Paris, the IAA is a non-governmental organization consisting of only the most prestigious art organizations with the highest artistic level from over 120 member countries. It was set up in 1954 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
   
Representing China's fine arts circle, the CAA joined the IAA in 2002 during the 15th General Assembly of the organization in Greece. It was also in 2002 that it won its bid to host 16th general assembly.
   
Liu said the disparity in economic conditions among the member countries is the biggest problem confronting the association. Only a few dozen member countries sent representatives to attend the assembly despite there being more than 120 member countries in the IAA.
   
"My aim during my term of office is to help the less developed member countries to send delegates to attend the next assembly," Liu promised.
   
(Xinhua News Agency September 26, 2005)