Photo: Li Hao/GT

The opening ceremony for the Cuban exhibition titled The Longest Journey took place at the Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center on April 20. Government officials, diplomats, media and friendly groups attended. Co-organized by the Cuban National Council of Visual Arts, the China Arts and Entertainment Group and the Cuban Embassy in Beijing with the support of the culture ministries of China and Cuba, the exhibition is to reaffirm the influence of Chinese culture in the shaping of Cuba's national identity since first Chinese arrived in Cuba in 1847.

Cuban Ambassador to China Miguel Angel Ramirez Ramos reviewed the early connections between the people of the two countries in his speech during the event.

"Cuba is very proud of being the first country in the Western hemisphere to establish diplomatic relations with China," the ambassador said.

"This event opened a transcendental chapter for the history of bilateral relations between our countries."

Photo: Li Hao/GT