To mark the 30th anniversary of the restoration of China's legal seat in the United Nations, a photo show of the World Heritage in China, co-sponsored by Chinese Embassy in India and the Federation of Indian United Nations Association, was held from December 3rd to 6th, 2001. The show displayed photos featuring cultural splendor and scenic beauty of the 27 UNESCO cultural and natural heritage sites in China.

A solemn opening ceremony was held on December 3rd. India Minister of Internal and State Affairs I.D. Swami, some former senior Indian diplomats, retired officers, senior executives of Delhi City Government, members of the Federation of Indian United Nations Association, chief executive of India-China Friendship Association, people from Indian cultural and press circles, counselors and military attaches and wives from the Embassies of Russian, Austria, Egypt, Thailand, Viet Nam and DPRK in India and overseas Chinese, about 300 in number, attended the ceremony.

The Minister of Indian Internal and State Affairs spoke at the opening ceremony. He stressed the need for cooperation between the two countries in the fields of political affairs, economy and culture, saying that as members of the United Nations, their cooperation in international affairs should be strengthened. He expressed appreciation for China's splendid culture and fantastic landscape which had made China a large tourism country.

Hua Junduo, Chinese Ambassador to India, in his speech looked back first on the situation in 1971 when the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution to restore China's legal seat in the United Nations, and expressed the gratitude of Chinese government and people to the Indian government for casting affirmative vote for the resolution. He said that China, as a founding member of the United Nations and a permanent member of the Security Council, had made unremitting efforts and notable contributions in promoting United Nations' functions, in maintaining world peace and pushing forward the development of the world during the 30 years since the restoration of her legal seat in the United Nations. Henceforth China would take a more active part in her efforts to create a world of lasting peace and common prosperity together with all peace-loving people and countries. Hua also said that the high-ranking mutual visits such as Indian President Nalayanan's visit to China, Chairman of Chinese National People's Congress of China Standing Committee Li Peng's visit to India and the scheduled Chinese Premier Chu's visit to India earlier next year will be conducive to further development of relationship between the two countries. Hua mentioned in particular that China's natural heritage belongs not only to China, but also to the whole world and the whole mankind, so the Indian people are welcome to come to China for a visit and more Chinese people are expected to visit India so as to enjoy India's cultural heritage, breathe her profound cultural atmosphere and share her fruitful cultural achievements.

Ambassador Hua accompanied Minister of Indian Internal and State Affairs after the ceremony, to take a look at the exhibits and explained for him most of the photos on display. The Minister highly praised China's splendid culture and beautiful scenery.