The 80th birthday of Henry Kissinger, internationally renowned statesman, has been marked with an exhibition in Hangzhou, China.

"The reason that we celebrate his birthday is because he has made great contributions to Sino-US friendship and world peace and his efforts still continue now," said gray-haired Pan Jie, one of the organizers of the exhibition on Tuesday.

Kissinger was an important figure who helped to break the sealed door between China and the United States in the early 1970s, and is well-known to most Chinese.

But to those like Pan Jie and his wife Fan Zhuhua, who witnessed that part of history, the respect and concern for Kissinger goes deeper.

Fan used to work in the provincial museum and was engaged in historical research and literature study. He and his wife are active in cultural and non-official exchanges between China and foreign countries.

The idea of holding an exhibition for Kissinger occurred during the couple's visit to the United States.

In 2001, when the couple visited their son in the United States, they heard Kissinger was sick in hospital. Out of concern and respect, the couple wrote him a letter, sending their best wishes.

Kissinger wrote back to the couple after his recovery, enclosing a photograph with Kissinger's signature and some other related materials.

Since then, the couple have collected relevant documents and materials relating to Kissinger.

Two years later, an exhibition consisting of more than 200 photographs, 80 exhibits and 18 gifts made by Chinese calligraphers and artists, finally opened on Kissinger's 80th birthday.

A private museum on Sino-US friendship sponsored by the couple also opened on the same day.

The museum, which is the first of its kind, exhibits documents and materials showing the development of Sino-US friendship since the 1960s.

On hearing of the establishment of the museum, US president George W. Bush sent a letter to the couple, extending his congratulations.