TOKYO, July 28 (Xinhuanet) -- A photo exhibition hosted by the Information Office of the Chinese State Council opened Thursday at the Roppongi Hills commercial complex in Tokyo, featuring amicable ties between China and Japan during the past 60 years since the end of World War II.

    About 180 pictures collected from leaders, ordinary citizens and media of both countries are on display, attracting more than 3,000 visitors in the first day of the 11-day exhibition.

Zhao Qizheng (C), Minister of the Information Office of the State Council, Cai Mingzhao (L), vice-minister of the office, and Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wang Yi (R) cut the ribbon at an opening ceremony of a Beijing-sponsored photo exhibition in Tokyo July 28. (Xinhua)

    Pictures on Japanese Emperor and Empress's visit to China's Great Wall in 1992, as well as pictures depicting bilateral exchanges in politics, economy, science and religion, deeply impressed the visitors.

    "There are 2,000 years of friendly exchanges between China and Japan. The history of the friendly exchanges is the mainstream than that of confrontations," Zhao Qizheng, director of the Information Office, said at the opening ceremony.

Hong Kong film star Jackie Chan (R) and Japanese table tennis player Ai Fukuhara ring the bell to signal the start of the exhibition. (Xinhua)

    "The bilateral relations over the past 60 years, especially since 1972, is more important than before," he said. The normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries has brought significant benefits to both sides, promoting exchanges in the fields of economy, culture and science.

    "The two sides should maintain long-lasting friendship and solve realistic issues with an overall and long view," the official said.

    Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wang Yi expressed hope that more people, especially youngsters, will visit the exhibition which not only reflect strong bilateral ties between China and Japan in the past, but also indicates a bright future of China-Japan friendship

    Hong Kong action star Jackie Chan and a Japanese table tennis player Ai Fukuhara, who plays in the Chinese Super League, also attended the ceremony along with leading figures such as House of Representatives Speaker Yohei Kono, House of Councillors President Chikage Ogi.

    Kono said the exhibition will help peoples of the two countries better understand each other. "Strengthening bilateral relations between China and Japan is significant for not only their own prosperity, but also peace in Asia and the world". Enditem