China's progress in developing green hydrogen fuel plants is paving the way for a more sustainable future, said Kanni Wignaraja, Assistant United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Secretary-General, Assistant UNDP Administrator and director of the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific in Beijing on Wednesday, which is the 2024 International Day for Biodiversity.
Wignaraja arrived in China on May 19 for a five-day visit, during which she visited several cities in east China including Changshu and Suzhou. During her stay, she spoke with China Global Television Network (CGTN) about the relationship between humans and nature, and shared her insights on the development of China's green hydrogen fuel plants.
"The serenity of nature is part of that peacefulness. Just think when you feel anxious, just walk in a forest, sitting by the sea and listening to the waves, right? Watching the sunset or the sunrise, just think what individually it does to you. Now, just think what it can do for the world as a whole. So, why would we be destroying nature and all the species that actually have given us life. So, I think we have to sit back, and this is an amazing day that gives us a moment to reflect," she said.
While Wignaraja was in Changshu City, she observed operation of the local hydrogen fuel cell plant and the industrial chain. She emphasized the potential of the relevant technology to upgrade various industries, noting that China's efforts in promoting green development could be replicated globally.
"In Changshu, we saw the hydrogen fuel cell plant, the parts that make up for this and the whole chain. We saw refueling stations. We saw what the potential can be for other industries. We look back at history and it's a short history -- 20, 25 years -- but it helps you look forward and you say, my goodness, this truly can change the world, not only China. But, China for us is an amazing, very large demonstration project. If you can do it here and perfect the technology and the applications, this you can use anywhere," she said.
China's green hydrogen fuel plants building paves way for more sustainable future: UN official
Acclaimed filmmakers from around the world have shared their insights on the ongoing 26th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF), highlighting the event's importance in connecting people and bridging cultures through the power of cinema.
The festival got underway in the east China metropolis on Friday, with 14 domestic and international films vying for this year's coveted Golden Goblet Awards.
The ten-day festival is featuring 461 films from around the world, with around 450,000 moviegoers expected to attend the more than 1,600 screenings across the city, according to organizers.
Speaking at a red carpet event on Sunday, international filmmakers introduced their works and say they are hopeful of making a big impression on moviegoers.
"Our film is very special because it's a black and white (movie) and it has only one actor and there is no dialogue in the movie. [We feel] so happy that Shanghai accepted our movie and we are so, so glad," said Mohammad Hosseinkhani, producer of the Iranian film "The Wasteman."
Renowned Chinese comedy actor and filmmaker Xu Zheng was present to promote his newly directed film "Upstream," and he emphasized the importance of realism in forging a connection with the audience.
"We hope that with this realistic film, we can explore the various dimensions of Shanghai in a more detailed, enriched, and down-to-earth manner. I believe that contemporary cinema needs to establish a close connection with the audience, as viewers are deeply concerned about whether a film can resonate with their lives and emotions," said Xu, who hails from Shanghai.
Meanwhile, Greek director Eva Nathena outlined her new film "Murderess", a crime thriller which is based on a classic Greek novel from the early 1900s. She highlighted the historical significance and emotional depth of her work.
"It's something historical and it’s a period film that says something hard about women. That's why I don't wish the audience to enjoy it, but I wish them to connect with the film because it's a true story," she explained.
Myanmar-born director Midi Z expressed his excitement about attending the festival for the fourth time, seeing it as a great opportunity to connect with his peers from across the industry.
"For me every time I’m always preparing to learn about film making and to see especially the younger filmmakers, the vibrant filmmakers," he said.
Syrian director, scriptwriter, and producer Tala Derki is taking part in the festival for the first time, and said he has been impressed by the event's organization and considerable audience engagement.
"I'm so excited that it's my first time in China and to see all this organizing festival and to know that films immediately when they announced they sold out, so they have a strong audience, a big audience. And they have 40 cinemas, that's a huge number. I never heard of [any] festivals [where] they have 40 cinemas," said Derki.
The significance of the event was also highlighted by Fernando Enrique Juan Lima, president of the Mar del Plata International Film Festival in Argentina, who emphasized the importance of cultural exchanges through film festivals.
"I think the festivals have an important work to do because in our countries in Latin America usually we do not get to see what happens besides the mainstream Hollywood or the big festivals like Venice, Cannes and Berlin, and it's great to have a direct dialogue between cultures. That's why being here is so important," he said.
Founded in 1993, SIFF is a prestigious global event, driven by Shanghai's ambition to become an international cultural hub. It has been attracting increasing international attention thanks to China's booming film market.
Global filmmakers hail Shanghai Int'l Film Festival as platform for cultural exchanges
