A photo exhibition on China-Egypt ties opened Thursday in Cairo, highlighting a time-honored friendship between the two countries over almost half a century.

On display were 45 pictures on historical events in Sino-Egyptian relations.

"The pictures are a historical record of friendly relations between China and Egypt," said Li Shuwen, an official of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and head of a cultural delegation currently visiting Egypt.

"The exhibition provides a rare opportunity for us to relive the history of 48 years of Sino-Egyptian ties," he said.

Li also called for further promoting "such a friendship between the two countries of great civilizations."

Egyptian Justice Minister Mahmoud Abulleil Rashid said, "The pictures reaffirmed traditional ties between Egypt and China." "We should carry forward the friendship," he said.

China and Egypt, two important developing countries, have enjoyed strong ties since their diplomatic ties were forged in 1956.