The two countries experienced a setback in relations in the 1960s when Mongolia sided with the Soviet Union following the Sino-Soviet split. But relations started to improve in the 1980s. In May 1990, Ochirbat visited China, becoming the first Mongolian top leader to do so after a 28-year hiatus.

China and Mongolia announced they would pursue a "partnership of good neighborliness and mutual trust" in a joint statement issued during Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to Mongolia in June 2003.

When Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping visited Mongolia five years later, they signed a plan for the mid-term development of their economic and trade cooperation.

The past two decades have witnessed stable development in terms of bilateral relations in all fields, Ochirbat said.

Mongolia attaches primary importance to its relationship with China, while China upholds a policy of "fostering an amicable, peaceful and prosperous neighborhood." Considering this, Ochirbat said he is confident the two countries' relationship would reach new heights.

The photo exhibition is just one part of the year-round celebration for the 60th anniversary of China-Mongolia diplomatic relations. The anniversary year is full of state and other visits as well as a variety of commemorative events, said Galsan Batsukh, Mongolia's ambassador to China.

Mongolian Prime Minister Sanjaa Bayar visited China in April, whereas He Guoqiang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, paid a visit to Mongolia in June, visits that Batsukh believes are the "highlights to honor this anniversary."

Top-level executives of the two countries' friendship associations also exchanged visits to promote people-to-people diplomacy, he said.

A Mongolian youth delegation, along with a group of Chinese children from areas hit by last May's devastating earthquake in Sichuan Province, each consisting of 60 members, visited their respective countries this summer. The two countries, additionally, engaged in trade, economic, academic, military, culture and sports exchanges within the framework of this year-round celebration.

Moreover, the same photo exhibition will be staged in Ulaanbaatar in October, during the Mongolia-China Friendship Month, which will be observed across Mongolia, according to Batsukh.