To the Chinese people, South Africa is distant and mysterious, but the distance was shortened by the opening of the photographic exhibition "South Africa through the Eyes of a Chinese" on Thursday at the South African Embassy in Beijing.

All the pictures on show were taken by a Chinese photographer, Liu Xue, who stayed in South Africa at his own expense for ten months to take photographs of what he saw there.

Just like what the concluding catalogue of the exhibition says, Liu Xue has seen the South African scenery and its people's way of life through Chinese eyes. These pictures from afar have also brought many friendly messages to China from South Africa.

The image of an African mother, scenes accentuating the sunshine, the beaches, the lives of native and immigrant residents have all appealed to the viewers.

The Charge d'Affaires of the South Africa Embassy Jacques L De Vos said Liu's pictures are honest and alive, reflecting all aspects of South Africa.

Liu said he hoped to build up communication between China and South Africa with his pictures, calling it his year-long dream to shoot the culture of both countries with his camera.

He is planning to stage a photographic exhibition in South Africa one day to introduce China's beautiful scenery and modern way of life to South Africans.

(Xinhua News Agency January 17, 2001)