A Taiwanese man bid a record 50 million yuan (US$6 million) to buy a painting at an auction at Wuzhou Guest House in Shenzhen on Saturday (Nov 20).

The painting, a joint work by 22 prestigious Chinese artists with the theme of peace, fetched the highest price for a single Chinese painting in the world so far, Chinese-language newspapers reported.

The mystery bidder, refusing to be identified, said that he was from Taiwan and in Shenzhen sightseeing. He said he had a weakness for art works and it was the first time he had paid so much for a single piece.

"But I think the painting is worth such a high price because of its theme - peace," he said.

"Chinese people across the Taiwan Straits should co-exist peacefully," he said.

With a commission of 10 percent, he actually paid 55 million yuan.

He also bought dozens of other works, varying from tens of thousands of yuan to millions.

Among the 22 painters, 10 had passed away while of those still living, the eldest is 94.

The reserve price for the painting was between 40 million yuan and 60 million yuan.

The auctioneer said a 100-page book of paintings by artist Lu Yanshao fetched 63 million yuan in a Beijing auction this June, the world's highest price for Chinese paintings.

There were 149 works on auction on the day, part of the First International Cultural Industry Fair Shenzhen, with reserve prices ranging from 8,500 yuan to 40 million yuan, many of which were works by well-known artists such as Xu Beihong, Qi Baishi, Zhang Daqian and Li Keran.

Altogether 53 pieces were auctioned for a total value of 78 million yuan.

Editor: Donald