He Luli (R), vice chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, and Vice President of EU Commission Guenter Verheugen (C) attend the opening ceremony of a photo exhibition to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome that led to the creation of the European Union (EU) in Beijing, April 1, 2007. Over 600 pictures are included in the exhibition which is titled "EU at 50", reflecting EU's history of development, its composition and achievements over the past 50 years, as well as China-EU exchanges. (Xinhua Photo)

    BEIJING, April 1 (Xinhua) -- China hosted a photo exhibition on Sunday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome that led to the creation of the European Union (EU).

    Over 600 pictures are included in the exhibition which is titled "EU at 50", reflecting EU's history of development, its composition and achievements over the past 50 years, as well as China-EU exchanges.

    He Luli, vice chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, and Vice President of EU Commission Guenter Verheugen addressed the opening ceremony of the exhibition.

    He, also honorary president of China-EU Association, spoke highly of the achievements EU has made in diversified areas such as politics, diplomacy and trade.

    "To enhance China-EU exchanges and cooperation not only meets the long-term interests of both sides, but also conducive to world peace and stability," she said.

    The China-EU Association will play even greater role in promoting bilateral people-to-people exchanges and cooperation in other fields, she added.

    Verheugen said he hopes the exhibition would help more Chinese people to know about EU and its member countries.

    The Treaty of Rome, seen as the EU foundation stone, is signed in Rome by France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg on March 25, 1957.