BEIJING, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- A Russian oil painting exhibition was unveiled Saturday at the Cultural Palace of Nationalities in Beijing.

On display are more than 200 oil paintings by 50 artists of the former Soviet Union and Russia. The China-Russia Friendship, Peace and Development Commission, the organizer, said the exhibition was held to boost bilateral cultural exchanges.

Hua Jianmin (L Front), vice chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, visits a Russian oil painting exhibition in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 11, 2010.

About 100 guests, including Hua Jianmin, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislative body, and Russian Ambassador to China Sergey Razov, attended the opening ceremony.

The week-long exhibition is open to the public for free.