A PICTURE of an aeroplane has been announced as the winner of the first-ever John Moores Painting Prize China.

Created by 37-year-old Han Feng, it was selected by a panel of judges that included Liverpool Biennial artistic director Lewis Biggs.

This is the first time the Walker Art Gallery has exported its world- famous prize abroad, launched as part of Liverpool’s appearance at Shanghai’s World Expo.

The contest will take place every two years as a separate event to the original Liverpool-based prize and covers a catchment area of three regions in China.

Mr Feng said of his painting: “The big aeroplane has exaggerated the proportions of the real one.

“I want to make a bigger, prettier and disturbed virtual world. This painting is something about dream-making, about the story of sailing and searching in such a paradoxical world.”

The winning paintings and four finalists will be displayed at Shanghai Gallery of Art before being shipped to Liverpool to be displayed alongside the UK winners at the Walker next month.