Compilation of Classics in the Flourishing Age, a marine civilization-themed exhibition, opens at Zhejiang University's Zhoushan Campus. [Photo provided by Zhejiang University for Tide News]

An exhibition highlighting marine civilization through ancient Chinese paintings has opened at Zhejiang University's Zhoushan Campus in East China's Zhejiang province and is scheduled to run until Aug 22.

The exhibition, titled Compilation of Classics in the Flourishing Age, is based on "A Comprehensive Collection of Ancient Chinese Paintings," a national project jointly developed by Zhejiang University and the Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration. Since its launch in 2005, the project has collected more than 12,000 Chinese paintings from 263 museums and cultural institutions worldwide.

The exhibition features more than 120 selected artworks centered on marine themes, reflecting the historical relationship between Chinese civilization and the sea through traditional Chinese paintings.

Fu Fangzheng, Party secretary of the Ocean College of Zhejiang University, said the exhibition aims to bring classical art into public life and encourage greater appreciation of traditional Chinese culture among students and visitors. The event also coincides with Zhejiang University's 129th anniversary.

In addition to the paintings, the exhibition includes interactive digital experiences, such as AI-assisted comparisons of famous paintings, that combine traditional culture with new technology.