VLADIVOSTOK, April 28 (Xinhua) -- In front of a wall of historical photographs, Oleg Kozhemyako, governor of Russia's Primorsky Krai in the Russian Far East, paused for a long moment.
His eyes lingered on images depicting China's First Five-Year Plan (1953-1957).
"China's persistent efforts and commitment to its fine traditions and development path have brought about extraordinary development," he said.
The remarks came at a photo exhibition titled "A Shared Future, A Long Road Ahead -- Achievements of Chinese Modernization," held on Monday in Vladivostok, capital of Primorsky Krai. The event attracted more than 300 participants from various walks of life.
Inside the exhibition hall, 30 carefully selected Xinhua photographs trace China's transformation across decades -- from early industrial foundations to advances in science, technology, culture and youth exchanges.
Vyacheslav Kozhukhov, deputy mayor of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, was struck by the visual contrast between tradition and modern life.
Among the images that impressed him most was a scene of children playing in the snow at Beijing's Temple of Heaven Park.
"This is a well-planned, systematic process of economic development," he said. "It has been implemented clearly and consistently, and it has delivered remarkable results."
Another photograph that attracted a lot of attention showed the first Jiefang (Liberation) truck rolling off the assembly line at Changchun First Automobile Works in 1956 -- a landmark factory built with Soviet assistance, symbolizing early industrial cooperation.
Yevgeny Vlasov, vice-rector for International Relations at Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU), noted that Russia and China have long learned from and supported each other throughout their shared history.
"Russia-China relations are now at their highest level in history. They are the warmest and friendliest ties, and bilateral cooperation enjoys broad prospects. Every year our relations grow stronger," Vlasov told Xinhua.
Innokentiy Kichkin, a postgraduate student at FEFU, expressed deep admiration for the remarkable achievements of the Chinese people and their tremendous efforts. He said Chinese modernization has delivered impressive results, adding that "the Chinese people share a common goal of national rejuvenation, and they have achieved it."
Denis Druzhin, a trader engaged in Russia-China commerce, highlighted China's rapid progress in fields such as new energy, green development and artificial intelligence, all featured in the exhibition.
"Chinese modernization brings opportunities to Russia, drives economic growth and improves the lives of people in both countries," he said.
Daria Mishukova, a Russian scholar specializing in East Asian studies, said the Chinese people are good at taking steady and practical steps, which is a key reason for the success of Chinese modernization. She also expressed optimism about the future of Russia-China relations, saying cooperation between the two sides will continue to grow stronger.
The exhibition was co-organized by the Consulate General of China in Vladivostok and Xinhua News Agency's Eurasia Bureau. ■