A photo exhibition titled "Our Silk Road" kicked off on Friday in Valletta, the capital of Malta, illustrating mutual understanding and mutual benefits under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Addressing at the opening ceremony, China's Ambassador to Malta Jiang Jiang said that this exhibition coincides with the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) which is now being held in Beijing.

"Through this exhibition, one can feel people's aspirations for a better life. This common pursuit, shared among different countries and nations, is our driving force to jointly promote the Belt and Road Initiative and build a community with a shared future for mankind," said the Chinese ambassador.

Malta's Parliamentary Secretary for Consumer Rights, Public Cleansing and Support For the Capital City Deo Debattista confirmed the great significance of the Belt and Road Initiative in his speech.

"The Belt and Road Initiative is of great significance in terms of enhancing win-win economic integration and infrastructural development, as well as socio-cultural engagement, mutual trust and tolerance for the shared benefit of people's along the Belt and Road, and the wider world," he said, adding "the exhibition reflects the fluid and dynamic flow of communication characteristics of the Silk Road."

With 70 photos on display, the exhibition has eight topics, namely "Our Homes", "How We Travel", "Our Faces", "How We Grow Up", "Our Traditions", "Our Friendship", "Our Harvest" and "Our Festivals".

President of Malta Institute of Professional Photography Kevin Casha said that this exhibition "strives to demonstrate the Silk Road's original meaning -- that of mutual exchange, coexistence, trade and peaceful interaction between all societies and ethnic groups."

The exhibition is hosted by China Cultural Center in Malta, Bureau of International Exchanges and Cooperation, Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China, Overseas Chinese Diplomatic Missions.

This exhibition will last until June 15, 2019.