The World of Han Meilin in Veniceexhibition displays some 200 paintings, sculptures, installations and designs of artist Han Meilin. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Feng added, "What Han Meilin is doing today (in Venice) is the same as that of Marco Polo. Han brings the modern spirit of China and Chinese artists to Venice."

Han was granted a honorary professor at the Venice International University on Friday and gave a speech on how he translates Chinese cultural spirit to a modern context.

The exhibition will also travel to the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, where Han was designated UNESCO Artist for Peace last October, and finally back to Beijing at the National Museum of China.