As part of the celebrations to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and New Zealand, two exhibitions - Kura Pounamu: Treasured Stone of Aotearoa New Zealand, and Brian Brake: Lens on China and New Zealand - have opened recently at the National Museum of China in Beijing.

The Kura Pounamu exhibition explores the historical and cultural significance of Maori jade in New Zealand. Visitors can see a great variety of jade art products such as tools, ritual weapons and ornaments.

The show juxtaposes photos New Zealand photographer Brian Brake took in the 1950s in China with images of his homeland.

During his visits to China in 1957 and 1959, he captured the spectacles of mass parades in Beijing for the National Day celebrations.

9 am-5 pm, closed on Mondays and public holidays, until Feb 1, 2013. National Museum of China, 16 East Chang'an Avenue, Dongcheng district, Beijing. 010-6511-6400.