China's 70th anniversary celebrations wouldn't be complete without recognizing contributions from its foreign friends. Some recipients of China's friendship medals visited a grand exhibition in Beijing on Monday showcasing the country's major achievements of the past 70 years.

These award recipients are China's long-term international friends who have been involved in the country's tremendous changes.

The exhibition reflects China's practices and achievements over a 70-year span. It's not just Chinese that hold these memories near and dear, but also friends from overseas.

Maryam Salim is the daughter of former Tanzanian Prime Minister Salim Ahmed Salim. Back in 1971, Salim was one of several international supporters who helped the People's Republic of China (PRC) gain recognition as the only lawful representative of China to the United Nations.

"I heard the story many times as I was growing up with my father. He was quite surprised and humble when hearing about the prize. He didn't expect the award, but he also always talked about the very close ties that China and Tanzania had over the decades and calls it unshakable," Salim said.

Galina Kulikova from the Russia-China Friendship Association is another recipient visiting the exhibition. She's been working at the association for 62 years since promoting China-Russia exchanges. Kulikova says doing so is her lifetime passion.

"It was my great honor to receive the friendship medal yesterday and this also gives me more responsibility. This is the honor that should be shared by all fellows who have been committed to carrying out Russia-China friendship. And I promise to continue promoting such friendships as long as my heart still beats," Kulikova said.

They are two of the six total friendship medal recipients who were awarded on Sunday, for their great contributions to China's development, and for promoting Sino-foreign ties over the past seven decades.

But despite their familiarity with China, the latest exhibition of achievements is still impressive.

"What I've seen at the exhibition is the transformation of the new China from scratch to now the world's second largest economy. And numerous Chinese heroes and role models are behind those efforts. The ceremony to award them on Sunday also illustrates their greatness," Kulikova added.

"One point is how spectacular the exhibition is. You can come here to see accomplishments in every aspect from science to education, as well as sectors like the high-speed rails and advances in agriculture," said Salim.

At the very end of the exhibition, these foreign guests were amazed by the model of Beijng Daxing International Airport, which just opened last week. Beyond history, they are now hoping to witness what's in store for China's future.

(Cover image: Galina Kulikova from the Russia-China Friendship Association, a friendship medal recipient, visits an exhibition in Beijing, September 30, 2019. /CGTN Photo)