One type of Chinese goods not impacted by the trade spat with the US - art and antiquities. Christie's annual China auctions take place in Shanghai on Friday. And despite the trade war, the auction house is optimistic about the Chinese art market. CGTN's Lin Nan takes us to Shanghai.

Christie's Shanghai autumn auctions opened in a delightful atmosphere. The art dealer is breathing a sigh of relief, as Chinese art and antiques will not be subject to a 25 percent import tariff in the escalating trade war between China and the US.

JUSSI PYLKKANEN GLOBAL PRESIDENT, CHRISTIE'S "Clearly it is very important for the art market to have freedom of movement of works of art. It is great for Chinese works of art that they can be presented to collectors in America, who is so fascinated by Chinese culture. It is very important, philosophy if you like, of the art market, that works of art should be able to cross boundaries, be offered to collectors in different parts of the world."

Entering its sixth year of auctions in China, Christie's selections are getting more diverse. For the first time, Chinese liquor Moutai went under the hammer in an international auction house. And China's greater appetite for art has made it a significant player in the global art community.

JUSSI PYLKKANEN GLOBAL PRESIDENT, CHRISTIE'S "It has been a very very quick growth, quicker than anything that I have witnessed before. We never expected the speed of growth and expansion of interest that we saw here in China."

LIN NAN SHANGHAI "In 2017, China narrowly surpassed the UK as the world's second-largest art market, accounting for 21 percent of the global art sales. Experts say China may be set to further outpace Britain in the near future, as indicators point to ongoing growth in high-end Asian wealth."

In Asia, Christie's has seen a 24 percent increase in new buyers from the Chinese mainland in the first half of 2018. And there is still huge potential if China could further relax restrictions to its market.

JUSSI PYLKKANEN GLOBAL PRESIDENT, CHRISTIE'S "For us, it would be a great step, if some moment in the future, we are not sure when, if we were able to bring major works of arts pre 1949, perhaps Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo and others, here on exhibition or potentially for sale in the future."

Lin Nan, CGTN, Shanghai.