'Living fossils'-- evolution of Chinese script on show in Peru

Peru's Deputy Minister of Culture Ana Castillo noted that economic relations between Peru and China were strong enough to inspire greater mutual curiosity and closer cultural ties.

"The inauguration of this traveling exhibit offers us a chance to strengthen the fraternal feelings" between the two peoples, said Castillo.

Castillo said the exhibition highlighted the fact that writing "in China is more than just spelling, it is also an art. That is what we Peruvians endlessly and deeply admire."

The opening ceremony featured demonstrations of Chinese calligraphy on rice paper with ink and brush, through which visitors could get a firsthand look at how characters are composed of varied strokes.

Alejandro Garcia, a student, said: "I find the different Chinese characters they have demonstrated interesting. It's important that they have shown us the history of the Chinese language, one of the six official languages used at the United Nations."

"It is very important to have these cultural and educational exchanges between China and Peru," he added.

Since its inception in 2013, the exhibition has traveled to Canada, the United States, Germany, France, Russia, India, Japan and other countries.