A photo exhibition named "In Pursuit of a Better Life" kicked off on Sunday evening in Berlin to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC).

Guests unveil the photo exhibition "In Pursuit of a Better Life" during the opening ceremony in Berlin, Germany, on Nov. 24, 2019. [Photo/Xinhua]

Hosted by China Image Group and organized by China International Culture & Image Communication Corporation, the photo exhibition tells the story of how China has transformed from a backward country before 1949 into the world's second largest economy today.

The show, featuring some 120 images by Xinhua photographers, take viewers on a visual journey spanning 70 years across China's diverse geography.

The exhibition also highlights the development of ties between China and Germany over the years. From visiting German bands that gave local people their first taste of rock music to Chinese acrobats in Germany, the images are a testament to deepening bilateral exchange in industry, culture, and tourism.

Chinese Ambassador to Germany Wu Ken addressed the opening ceremony, saying that the photo show elaborates the great changes in China since the founding of the PRC on Oct. 1, 1949, shows the Chinese people's hard work and happiness in taking part in the building of the nation, and reflects the development process of the society, which helped viewers better understand the past and present China and its future.

In addition, the photos about the China-Germany relationship showed that since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries over 40 years ago, bilateral relations have been strengthened and have now reached an unprecedented high level, Wu said.

A visitor looks on photos displayed at the photo exhibition "In Pursuit of a Better Life" in Berlin, Germany, on Nov. 24, 2019. [Photo/Xinhua]

Jorg Schierenbeck, president and CEO of European Pressphoto Agency who has made multiple trips to China, said at the opening ceremony that he felt China's rapid development and great changes.

He said China is now a modern, rising country that is open to the world, and is setting standards in urban construction, the development of infrastructure, education and economy, and even environmental protection.

At the event was played a video clip about a senior German citizen, who voluntarily cleans the Chinese Garden at the Duisburg Zoo, a gift from the Chinese sister city Wuhan in 1988. A photo of Wuhan presenting the gift to Duisburg at that time was exhibited at the photo show.

"I am deeply touched. Only when all of us become such gardeners can we maintain the China-Germany friendship forever," said Hu Xudong, chief director of Nouvelles d'Europe, a Europe-based Chinese language newspaper.

Over 50 visitors attended the opening ceremony. The event is at Berliner Freiheit in the center of the city, and will last until Friday.