DHAKA, April 3 (Xinhua) -- A photo and object exhibition titled "Envoy of Peace from China" opened here Monday, with a purpose to commemorate the 600th anniversary of Chinese navigator Zheng He's great voyages.

    Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the exhibition, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Chai Xi said, "Zheng He's voyages are not only magnificent navigation feat, but also journey of peace and friendship in the history of human civilization."

    China nowadays has changed a lot from the time of Zheng He, however, the values of peace, harmony, friendship and cooperation, the core of Zheng He's spirit and also the Chinese civilization, remain unchanged, Chai Xi said.

    "We persist in building good-neighborly relationship and partnership with the neighboring countries and continue pursuing the policy of bringing harmony, security and prosperity to neighbors," he said.

    He expressed confidence that through the joint efforts of governments and peoples, the friendly relations of comprehensive partnership of cooperation between China and Bangladesh will achieve greater development.

    Bangladeshi Commerce Minister Altaf Hossain Chowdhury at the inauguration ceremony praised Zheng He's contribution to the world and especially mentioned Zheng He's huge fleets which visited southeastern Chittagong six centuries ago and traded with local people.

    China and Bangladesh is close and friendly neighbors for a longtime, Altaf said, adding China has provided great help in Bangladesh's coal, power, bridge and other projects.

    The minister believe the friendly bilateral relation between China and Bangladesh will get stronger and closer.

    The exhibition is launched by the Chinese Ministry of Culture and has been displayed in Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Thailand, and now come to Bangladesh.

    Organized by the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh, the exhibition shows 81 pieces of valuable photos and 22 pieces of models of real object, reflecting vividly the glorious achievement of Zheng He's great voyages.

    Zheng He is known to the world as one of the history's pioneering navigators and a creator of the Chinese maritime Silk Road. Between AD 1405 and 1433, Zheng He utilized the most advanced nautical technology of his time to lead huge fleets of ships on seven transoceanic expeditions around the Indian Ocean, establishing economy, trade and culture cooperation with over 30 Asian and African countries and regions. Enditem