MONTARGIS - A photo exhibition was opened on Friday in Montargis, a small town in central France, to mark the 45th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-French diplomatic relations.

Several late Chinese leaders, such as Deng Xiaoping and Chen Yi, once studied and worked in Montargis, some 110 km south of Paris.

More than 40 pictures were on show to feature the development of Sino-French ties over the past 45 years in politics, economy, science and technology, culture and local cooperation.

Chinese Ambassador to France Kong Quan said Chinese President Hu Jintao met with his French counterpart Nicholas Sarkozy on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in London, vowing to make efforts to ensure the healthy and stable development of Sino-French relations.

Jean-Pierre Door, Mayor of Montargis, said he hoped the relations between the two countries would encounter no problems in the future and the two sides could make satisfactory achievements in the bilateral cooperation.

The photo show, to be concluded on April 19, has been held in France's Senate and National Assembly, as well as the Chinese Culture Center in Paris.