A two-week China-themed photo exhibition opened Thursday at the Euoprean Commission headquarters, with European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso and visiting Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin being the first viewers.

Visitors watch the photos displayed at the "China Story" photo exhibition held at the headquarters of European Commission in Brussels, Belgium, Feb. 24, 2011. The two-week "China Story" photo exhibition displayed 64 photos by Chinese photographer Zhao Hui in Brussels.

The exhibition, dubbed the "China Story," features a collection of 64 photos by Chinese photographer Zhao Hui, who is also known as Steve Zhao.

The exhibit is co-hosted by the Chinese Mission to the European Union (EU) and the EU's diplomatic body, European External Action Service (EEAS).

"These photos are alive, moving, and extremely human," said James Moran, director of Asia of the EEAS at the opening ceremony of the exhibition.

Before Brussels, the China Story exhibition had already traveled to the United States, Britain, France, Australia, Russia, and Japan among other countries since 2002.

According to Zhao, the photo exhibition would later journey to Germany and Austria, "to show Europe a real and beautiful China."

"I hope the exhibition would help create mutual aspirations and appreciation between the Chinese and European citizens," Zhao said.