People visit a photo exhibition on the achievements of Chinese modernization, in Irkutsk, Russia, May 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

IRKUTSK, Russia, May 31 (Xinhua) -- A photo exhibition on the achievements of Chinese modernization was held on Saturday in Russia's Siberian city of Irkutsk during a reception honoring Russian graduates who studied in China.

Over 200 attendees, including representatives from political and academic circles as well as local communities, toured the exhibition.

The exhibit presented more than 20 carefully selected photographs from Xinhua News Agency, showcasing China's historic and innovative achievements in social and economic development, science, technology and culture.

Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui said that the photo show is of practical significance for the Russian people to understand contemporary China, its development path, and the governance philosophy of Chinese leaders.

Calling China and Russia good neighbors linked by geography and time-tested friends, Zhang said that cooperation between the two countries in various fields continues to deepen and has become more practical, creating more opportunities.

Zhang said that on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination and the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, Russian President Vladimir Putin paid a successful visit to China from May 19 to 20.

The two heads of state signed a joint statement on further strengthening comprehensive strategic coordination and deepening good-neighborliness and friendly cooperation, and witnessed the signing of 20 cooperation documents in areas including economy and trade, education, and science and technology, once again demonstrating the high level and special nature of China-Russia relations, he said.

Liu Yu, Chinese consul general in Irkutsk, said that local cooperation is an important part of China-Russia relations and has flourished in recent years, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples and injecting impetus into the development of bilateral relations.

Under the joint strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Russia relations have reached a new starting point for opening up broader space for local cooperation between the two countries, she said.

Igor Kobzev, governor of the Irkutsk region, said relations between Russia and China are currently developing dynamically across all sectors, with economic cooperation deepening, local interactions intensifying, and educational and cultural exchanges expanding.

Many Russian youths have participated in educational exchanges and cooperation projects between the two countries, studying or training in China, witnessing China's development and applying the knowledge and skills acquired in China to Russia's development, he added.

The exhibit was jointly held by the Chinese Consulate General in Irkutsk and Xinhua News Agency Eurasia Bureau. ■

A woman takes pictures at a photo exhibition on the achievements of Chinese modernization, in Irkutsk, Russia, May 30, 2026. The photo exhibition was held on Saturday in Russia's Siberian city of Irkutsk during a reception honoring Russian graduates who studied in China.

Over 200 attendees, including representatives from political and academic circles as well as local communities, toured the exhibition.

The exhibit presented more than 20 carefully selected photographs from Xinhua News Agency, showcasing China's historic and innovative achievements in social and economic development, science, technology and culture. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

People visit a photo exhibition on the achievements of Chinese modernization, in Irkutsk, Russia, May 30, 2026. The photo exhibition was held on Saturday in Russia's Siberian city of Irkutsk during a reception honoring Russian graduates who studied in China.

Over 200 attendees, including representatives from political and academic circles as well as local communities, toured the exhibition.

The exhibit presented more than 20 carefully selected photographs from Xinhua News Agency, showcasing China's historic and innovative achievements in social and economic development, science, technology and culture. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)