ULAN BATOR, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- A photography exhibition opened here on Monday to mark 70 years of diplomatic ties between China and Mongolia through works by photojournalists of two news agencies.

The exhibition entitled "Footprints of History" is organized by China's official Xinhua News Agency and the Mongolian state-run news agency Montsame under the auspices of the Chinese Embassy in Mongolia.

The exhibition aims to contribute to the further development of bilateral ties and cooperation between the two countries, the organizers said.

"Deepening cultural exchanges is an important way to enhance understanding, deepen friendship, and promote cooperation," Yang Qingdong, charge d'affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Mongolia, said at the opening ceremony of the event.

"News media are important carriers of mutual exchanges and civilizations, which can shorten distances, warm people's hearts, and promote common ground," Yang said.

In recent years, exchanges and cooperation between news media of the two countries have become closer, Yang said, expressing hope that through the photo exhibition, guests can relive the seven decades of friendly exchanges between the two countries, share national development experience and major achievements, and feel the traditional friendship.

"Our two countries have attached great importance to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties. I am happy to visit the exhibition, which is part of a series of activities to celebrate the anniversary," Mongolian Deputy Minister of Education, Culture, Science and Sports Ganbold Ganbayar said at the ceremony.

"As the biggest news agency of our country, Montsame has closely cooperated with Xinhua. In the future, our ministry will do our best to support such cooperation between the two news agencies," he said.

Seventy photos each from Xinhua and Montsame are being displayed at the week-long exhibition. m