A photo exhibition entitled "Beijing Welcomes You" was unveiled by Chinese and Pakistani officials here Wednesday.

Chinese Ambassador Luo Zhaohui and Pakistani Cultural Minister Hayath Khan Jogezai cut the ribbon together to open the exhibition jointly arranged by the Chinese embassy and the Pakistan National Council of the Arts.

Reform and opening-up to the outside world have brought about great changes in the Chinese capital of Beijing, which is nurtured with a 3,000-year-old culturally enriched history.

The city has taken on a completely new look as it enters the new century. Along with Beijing speeding up its globalization and modernization, the holding of the Olympic Games in 2008 has helped it further become a global focal point.

The show is aimed at providing Pakistani people with an opportunity to learn more about Beijing, such as everyday life, environment, climate, cultural and scientific activities, historical monuments and tourist attractions.

The exhibition also reveals how the Chinese capital is preparing for the 2008 Olympics. The eagerness of anticipation of the Chinese people as the games approach has been vividly depicted. Photos of the construction of sports venues are on display as well.

"China is determined to host an environmentally sustainable, technologically empowered and culturally enriched Olympiad, and the city of Beijing is ready to embrace the athletes and friends from all over the world to attend the Olympic Games with great enthusiasm," said Cultural Counsellor Shan Baoxiang at the opening ceremony.

The photo exhibition will remain at the Pakistan National Arts Gallery for one week. After that it will head to the Al-Himra Cultural Complex in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore for another week to enable more Pakistani people to experience the charms of contemporary Beijing.

(Xinhua News Agency November 29, 2007)