Joint exhibition highlights life and career of Zhou Enlai

Tianjin saw the youth of late premier Zhou Enlai (1898-1976), who grew into a man with ambition and a spirit of devotion to his country. Dozens of paintings depicting Zhou's life and career as a great statesman by three artists are now on show at the Memorial to Zhou Enlai and Deng Yingchao in Tianjin.

The works were jointly made by Li Shigang and Li Shidong, two brothers and their nephew, Liu Hailong, who has for years found inspiration in the life stories of Zhou.

Titled Loyalty and Devotion, the exhibition was opened in a time of begonia flowers in full bloom, the favorite of Zhou and his wife Deng, and marks the 125th anniversary of Zhou's birth. Li Shigang says the process of studying and painting Zhou has intensified their feeling of admiration of the premier, his guts, resilience, commitment and under which, a tender heart for his nation and people.

The exhibition toured five cities previously, and will end on April 16.