A cultural relic exhibition about how the ancient Maritime Silk Road connected China and Africa was launched in Tanzania earlier this week. It will run until Jan 15.

The exhibition in Dar es Salaam, co-organized by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage of China, Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism of Tanzania, and the Chinese embassy in Tanzania, is part of the celebration of the 50th year of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The exhibits include collections from China and Tanzania.

"Though the two countries are far apart in distance, the great fleet of Zheng He linked them together," said Wang Jun, head of Art Exhibitions China, which is the major curator of the exhibition, at the opening ceremony. "It is the perfect example of human beings' continuous spirit to explore."

All the equipment needed for this event are provided by China, and the two countries also agreed to begin long-term cooperation on a museum.