Editor's note: Sweden officially established diplomatic relations with China on May 9, 1950, among the first European countries to do so. Since then, bilateral exchanges and cooperation across politics, economy and culture have grown steadily and achieved remarkable results. To mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties, the Embassy of Sweden in Beijing is presenting the photographic exhibition "Beijing on Water," featuring images by Swedish photographer Osvald Sirén. 

The exhibition showcases a selection of images captured by Sirén during his travels in Beijing in the early 1920s. Many of the photographs are on public display for the first time, offering a poetic visual record of the city's moats and life along their banks. This show not only commemorates the 75th anniversary of China-Sweden diplomatic relations, but also invites viewers to reflect on Beijing's cultural transformation from a century ago. The exhibition is open from June 6-30 at Livat Beijing.

An introduction poster for the photographic exhibition "Beijing on Water" at Livat Beijing, June 13, 2025. Featuring images by Swedish scholar and photographer Osvald Sirén, the exhibition commemorates the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Sweden. [Photo by Liu Ziying/China.org.cn]