"It's as if I've made a trip to Tibet after visiting the exhibition. I have learned a lot about Tibet's history and its changes, and taken in her culture and sceneries," said Park Jin, Chairman of ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Monday.

Entitled "Tibet of China: Its Past and Present," an exhibition sponsored by the Chinese Embassy was held at the Chinese Cultural Center in Seoul.

Photo taken on October6, 2008 shows two foreign visitors on the Barkor street of Lhasa, capital city of northwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. [Xinhua photo]

Pointing to one picture of the Barkor Street -- a bustling shopping street in Lhasa, Park said cheerfully: "This must be the 'Bell street' of Lhasa!" Apparently, the Barkor street reminded the Korean senator who had never set foot on Tibet of Seoul's CBD.

Opened on Monday, featuring 70 photos, the exhibition tells the changes happened in Tibet since its peaceful liberation and the blissful life the Tibetan people are enjoying, meanwhile opening a window on the unique Tibetan culture and art.

The exhibition has drawn many local residents, diplomats of various nations, and Chinese living in Korea. Some have inquired about the famous scenic sites in the pictures with keen interest, intending to know more about the local customs of Tibet.

One of the visitors, a senior official now working for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, had once worked at the Korean Embassy in Beijing, but never had a chance to go to Tibet. He said the exhibition showed a Tibet boasting magnificent natural sceneries and a rich culture heritage. He said many of his countrymen are eager to go and experience her mystery themselves.

The official added, now that relationship between Korea and China has been elevated to a "strategic cooperative partnership," he was looking forward to increased exchanges between the two countries, as well as Korea's strengthened cooperation and communication with the Tibet region.

Li Rongyi, President of the Korea-China Cultural Association said, "The exhibition introduced to us a multi-ethnic and unified China. I hope we could know about the history and culture of other ethnic groups in China in similar ways, thus having an authentic understanding of the fact that China is a unified multi-ethnic country."

(Xinhua News Agency March 11, 2009)