The 798 zone plays a key role in the global impact of Chinese contemporary art. [Photo by Zou Hong/China Daily]

"Chinese contemporary art collectors, for example, need to look more at the younger, budding artists," said Qiu, who also held a UCCA exhibition that included 24 large-scale, ink-on-paper maps.

"The 798 zone is an important stop for anyone who wants to understand the global place of Chinese contemporary art," he said.

At the same time, the transition toward a "global playing field" meant that "Chinese artists won't really benefit just from being Chinese", Tinari said.

Different from the first or even second generation of contemporary artists who were known for being far from the mainstream of society, the current generation of practitioners benefit from having a "career path" in front of them, with the art academies producing experimental artists and comprehensive art management courses helping to form "a much more professional scene", Tinari said.