The Church of Saint Sava in Belgrade, Serbia. [Photo provided to China Daily]

A photo exhibition opened on Friday in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, as President Xi Jinping starts his first state visit to the country.

The "Beautiful China, Beautiful Serbia" show features more than 70 photos taken by photographers from both countries.

It aims to help boost cultural exchanges and has been organized by China's State Council Information Office, the Chinese embassy in Serbia and Serbia's Culture and Media Ministry.

In addition to natural scenery and cultural elements, the exhibition also showcases the two countries' rich histories and the friendship between their peoples, said Guo Weimin, vice-minister of the State Council Information Office.

"I hope this exhibition can be a window, which enables people from both countries to have a better understanding of each other," Guo said at the opening ceremony.

Sasa Mirkovic, state secretary of Serbia's Culture and Media Ministry, said Xi's visit will open a new era of relations between the two countries.

A series of cultural activities, including a book fair and a movie week that both kicked off on Thursday in Belgrade, will bring people from both sides closer together, he added.