A 23-year-old Chinese lady opened her painting exhibition at the UN Headquarters in New York on Monday and she also opened a window to showcase the charm of traditional Chinese painting to the UN family.

The art show, entitled "Sound of Ink," featured paintings and calligraphy works by Zhou Suyin, who was born in November 1984 in Shanghai.

Sha Zukang, the UN undersecretary-general for economic and social affairs, said at the opening ceremony that Zhou is "the youngest artist ever" to open the exhibition in the landmark UN building.

Sha congratulated Zhou for making this achievement at young age, hoping she will "aim high and achieve more."

Also at the opening ceremony, Liu Zhenmin, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said that Zhou started her painting practice at a tender age.

"Thanks to her talent and diligence, she has a good mastery of traditional Chinese painting techniques," Liu said. "Her painting, both powerful and elegant, is a delight to our eyes."

"Chinese ink and wash painting is a component of Chinese culture," Liu said. "Through several thousand years of development, it has developed its unique style and techniques."

"Chinese ink and wash painting is not only popular among the Chinese, but also appreciated by more and more artists across the world," he said.

Joseph Verner Reed, the UN undersecretary-general and special adviser to the UN secretary-general, told the opening ceremony that Zhou's paintings are "very beautiful."

Reed said that he made his first trip to China in 1973 and made a lot of Chinese friends since then.

In 2004, Zhou entered the Colombia University in New York. In an environment which champions total artistic freedom, she has opted to continue with here Chinese ink and wash painting.

Embracing both the spirit of Oriental philosophy and Western culture, she endeavors to elevate Chinese ink and wash painting to ever-widening horizon, she said.