Chinese Pavilion made a debut in 2005

China's Ministry of Culture and the Venice Biennial Organizing Committee reached an agreement on March 3, 2005, pronouncing that China would set up its first official pavilion at the Venice Biennial 51st International Art Exhibition.

　　The theme of Chinese Pavilion, "Virgin Garden: Emersion", was inspired by the terrain of the exhibition venue and illustrates the meaning of China's contemporary art appearing at this west-dominant biennial. The pavilion is separated in two parts, an outdoors and an indoors one. The former is located in the contemporary Virgin Garden, where the Chinese architect Zhang Yonghe will present his bamboo tent and the audience may take shade in the garden decorated with bamboo strips by Chinese traditional craft. The young artists Sun Yuan and Peng Yu will bring a UFO made by a Chinese country resident and have a trial fly in Venice. The indoor part, located at an abandoned marine warehouse where video and light installations will be shown, places much emphasis on the feeling and reaction of the audience toward the abrupt events.

　　The plan by the curator Cai Guoqiang stated proudly that this move would be regarded as a sign of stronger Chinese influence posed on the world in terms of politics, economics and culture.

　　Actually, the Chinese had started to attend Venice Biennial more than ten years before. In 2003, the China's Ministry of Culture encouraged curator Fan Di'an to plan on a Chinese Pavilion for the 50th Venice Biennial. However, due to the outbreak of SARS, the Chinese had to present their works in Guangzhou instead of Venice. This year, for the first time in history, artworks from China mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan will be shown together at Venice Biennial. It will be the sixth time for Taiwan artists and the third time for Hong Kong artists to attend the international art event, and the first time for China mainland artists to attend the national pavilion part of the exhibition.