HOUSTON, Dec. 3  -- A photo exhibition showing the exchange of visits by top Chinese and U.S. leaders with an aim to help people know the importance of such ties was unveiled on Saturday in Houston, the largest city in the U.S. state of Texas.

The seven-day exhibition, entitled The Sino-U.S. Friendship and Culture, is being held by China's state-run Xinhua News Agency and supported by the Houston Confucian Culture Center, a non-profit organization in the Lone Star state.

During a grand opening ceremony held at the center, U.S. Congressman Al Green spoke highly of the exhibition and the importance of Sino-U.S. relations.

"The photos on display here today let us know that we (the United Statesand China) always have a great friendship," he said.

"As the two most important countries in the world, U.S. and China have been working together over the past decades and what is important now is that we should continue such relationship when our two great countries are trying to resolve some problems and difficulties," he said.

Chinese Consul General in Houston Li Qiangmin told Xinhua that these photos were very important and impressive as they told the development of Sino-U.S. ties.

"These photos are in fact a review and prospect of the friendship and cooperation between China and the United States. The relations between our two countries are the most important in the world today as a steady, healthy and good relationship between the two great countries will not only benefit ourselves, but also benefit the whole world," he said.

James Chen, a representative from the Texas Governor's office, said at the ceremony that U.S.-China relations were very important for the two countries, including the state of Texas which has important trade ties with China.

"Such ties will not only be good for our two countries, but also for the world as a whole. We should appreciate such good ties," he said.

A total of 29 Xinhua photos are on display at the exhibition, and all of them witness the friendship and cooperation between China and the United States, and the development of the bilateral ties.