With the Chinese New Year less than a month away, the celebration is already getting started. We recently visited the National Art Museum of China, which is ringing in the Year of the Ox, by showing representations of the Chinese zodiac animal by some of the most celebrated artists in the country, while also paying tribute to the fight against COVID-19. 

The first section of the exhibition is centered around the Year of the Ox, highlighting masters like Qi Baishi and Li Keran for their vivid portrayal of the animal. 

They all express the attributes of the ox, which Chinese people prize for being hard-working, persistent, practical and devoted. 

Many visitors are drawn to the zodiac-inspired artworks which they see as helping to usher in good fortune and a new beginnings for the Lunar New Year. 

One visitor told CGTN, "My zodiac sign is the Ox so I've come here to find out more about its artistic representations. And it's great to see different artists' takes on the subject."

Over 600 artworks, including traditional Chinese paintings, oil canvases, calligraphy, sculptures and folk arts are on display.

The exhibition also pays tribute to China's efforts in containing the coronavirus. Some paintings highlight dramatic moments when medical employees and residents across the country collectively battled COVID-19.

The museum has paired the newly commissioned paintings with classic works showing medical workers and scientists who have made great contributions in the past.

The curator said the show, which will run until March 14, presents a window on the development of China's modern and contemporary art through the careers of individual artists.