On the morning of March 7, 2011, Counselor Le Aimei, wife of Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, held "China in My Eyes – A Photo Exhibition of Female Diplomatic Envoys and Wives of Diplomatic Envoys in China" at the Capital Museum in celebration of the International Women's Day (8 March). There were nearly 150 ambassadresses, wives of ambassadors of foreign countries, wives of representatives of international organizations stationed in China, wives of the leaders of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, female diplomats, and women leaders of the ministries and commissions of the State Council and the municipal government of Beijing attending the exhibition.

Counselor Le delivered an address at the opening ceremony. She first extended a warm welcome to the guests attending the exhibition as well as her festive greetings to them. She said that the purpose of holding "China in My Eyes" photography exhibition at the Capital Museum is to create a platform for women diplomatic envoys, wives of diplomatic envoys of foreign countries, and wives of representatives of international organizations stationed in China to display their talents and exchange ideas on what they saw and heard in China in the form of photography exhibition and through the medium of photographic arts. The event was warmly supported and attended by women diplomatic envoys, wives of diplomatic envoys of foreign countries, and wives of representatives of international organizations stationed in China for the exhibition received a total of 300 pieces of photos. These works are a good and true reflection of their care and love to the land of China and the Chinese people. Counselor Le expressed the hope that they could take full advantage of their time living in China and continue to use the camera to record the rapid development of China, feel the immense charm of the Chinese culture with their hearts, and bring the true character of a modern China and the profound friendship of the Chinese people to every corner of the world.

Mrs. Khek M. Caimealy, Ambassador of Cambodia to China, responded with an address on behalf of women diplomatic envoys and wives of diplomatic envoys of foreign countries. She extended congratulations on what China achieved in the past year. She said that Chinese and foreign diplomats are the bridges to shorten the distances between countries and cultural exchange will help countries to communicate with each other and learn from each other. The exhibition followed the trend of global development and promoted international cultural exchange and cooperation. She also commended Counselor Le Aimei for having organized charity sale activity for the disabled and other related activities. She finally expressed the best wishes for the success of the exhibition.

More than 200 photographic works were on display on the first floor underground at the Bamboo Courtyard, the Capital Museum. The exhibition boards were placed under the lights and dotted with elegant piece of cultural relics so that the guests could have a different kind of artistic enjoyment. There were a wide range of subjects and styles: scenery photos about little bridges, murmuring brook, Tibetan Plateau, northern China and the magnificent desert displayed the beauty and magnificence of China; the photos about the lives of men and women formed vivid pictures of the colorful lives of the Chinese people; the photos about the night of Expo and the photos about Shanghai Pudong showcased the modern side of an old China from the perspective of foreign diplomats.

To add fun to the photography exhibition and create a warm festive atmosphere, the organizer even set up the awards. The experts from China Women Photographers Association were invited to make judgment. Each guest attending the opening ceremony could also participate in the judgment by filling in the ballot papers. "Curiosity", a work from Mrs. Maria C.Aldao-Worker, wife of New Zealand's Ambassador to China, was highly recognized by professional judges and guests and was presented the special prize due to its richness and fullness in color, unique perspective, professional skill and rich emotions. "Tibetan Women by the Sides of Mountains and Lakes", a work from Mrs. Zamira Asimova, wife of Tajik Ambassador to China and "Lotus", a work from Mrs. Nicole Georgakelos, wife of Greek Ambassador to China won the first prizes. The other five works won the second prizes, including "Struggle for Existence", a work from Mrs. D. Oyunchimeg, wife of the Mongolian Ambassador to China. The other ten works were awarded the third prizes including "Litchi", a work from Mrs. Nicole Krieger-Loos, wife of Luxembourg's Ambassador to China.

"China in My Eyes" Photo Exhibition will be on display for one week at the Capital Museum. Women diplomatic envoys and wives of diplomatic envoys of foreign countries coming to attend the exhibition expressed a great welcome for such an event. They said that they were very excited that their works were displayed in the beautiful Capital Museum and it would be unforgettable memory for them. In the future, they would continue to use the camera to shoot more photos about the beautiful scenery and cultural landscapes of China. They were expecting the charity sale to be organized again by Counselor Le this fall and they would mobilize the embassies to take part in the event.