Chinese ambassador to Peru Jia Guide addresses the opening ceremony. [Photo/Chinaculture.org]

Besides being the Year of China-Latin America Cultural Exchange, 2016 marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of China-Peru diplomatic relations.

To deepen mutual understanding and friendship, an exhibition of Chinese treasures titled "Long Distance Separates No Bosom Friends" opened at Peru’s National Archaeological, Anthropological and Historical Museum in Lima, on October 7. It will wrap up on December 8.

More than 300 guests attended the opening ceremony and later visited the exhibition, including officials, university presidents, sinologists and archaeologists.

"The exhibition perfectly shows close friends always go the extra mile for each other. It is the fruit of the one-year cooperation between China and Peru. As the biggest cultural event jointly held by the two, the exhibition is the highlight of the 2016 China-Latin America Cultural Exchange Year," Chinese ambassador to Peru Jia Guide said. According to Peru's Minister of Culture, Jorge Nieto, Chinese people have been migrating to Peru since the 19th century. China and Peru have been doing business and sharing cultures since then. Jorge spoke highly of the exhibition and looked forward to President Xi's visit soon.

"We cherry picked 121 exhibits from museums across China. They are from prehistoric times to the Qing Dynasty, including terracotta figures, jade wares, bronze antiques and ceramics," Deputy Director of Art Exhibitions China, Zhou Ming noted. "They speak volumes about our time-honored and profound civilization. We hope Peruvians realize that and sense our sincerity. "

The curator of the host museum said, "Due to our physical distance, Peru rarely has the opportunity to admire Chinese treasures so close." He also reviewed both countries' civilizations and their communication via the Maritime Silk Road.

Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the 2016 China-Latin America Cultural Exchange Year in July 2014. China and 30 Latin American and Caribbean countries have been organizing performances, forums, book festivals, movie showings and exhibitions throughout the year. As President Xi said, friendship between countries is based on their people’s congeniality, which can only be fostered by communicating.