China helps to promote Brazil's development with infrastructure construction: Brazilian vice president

China is helping to spur Brazil's development by lending a helping hand to the country's infrastructure sector, said Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin on June 6 in Beijing

The Brazilian vice president paid an official visit to China from June 4 to 8 at the invitation of Chinese Vice President Han Zheng.

During his visit, Alckmin met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on June 6. Xi said at their meeting that China and Brazil share broad strategic interests as major developing countries and important emerging markets.

Noting that the Brazilian government is committed to inclusive and sustainable development, Alckmin said Brazil is willing to enhance synergy of its development strategies with that of China, welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest in Brazil, and looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China in such fields as infrastructure construction, agriculture, mining, new energy vehicles, climate change and other fields.

In an interview with the China Central Television (CCTV), the Brazilian vice president said Chinese companies have given Brazil a leg up to the country's infrastructure sector.

"Brazil has launched a new version of its 'growth acceleration' plan to focus on infrastructure construction. We are expanding Brazil's rail system to cover passenger and freight transport in metropolitan areas as agricultural production areas are usually far away from ports and we need to transport the farm products to ports. Chinese companies have already participated in this field. China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) has built trains and railways in Brazil, and there will be many opportunities for railway companies to do business in Brazil. We will make significant investments in logistics, railways, airports, roads and energy, which will also create many opportunities," he said.

During the interview, Alckmin also talked about climate change which threatens the world including Brazi, saying his country is taking measures to grapple with it.

"We are facing a serious problem -- climate change. Brazil boasts the largest tropical rain forest in the world, the Amazon. Next year, the next United Nations climate change conference will be held in the Amazonian city of Belem. We must be prepared for extreme climate events and cities must possess the ability to deal with them. We need to invest in high-quality infrastructure, safe housing and basic sanitation, and strive to build smart and resilient cities that can cope with the challenges of climate change, whether it is drought, heavy rains or other extreme weather," he said.

China helps to promote Brazil's development with infrastructure construction: Brazilian vice president

China helps to promote Brazil's development with infrastructure construction: Brazilian vice president

China helps to promote Brazil's development with infrastructure construction: Brazilian vice president

China helps to promote Brazil's development with infrastructure construction: Brazilian vice president

China helps to promote Brazil's development with infrastructure construction: Brazilian vice president

The Chinese animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2 began preview screenings in London on Friday ahead of its official release in the country and Ireland on March 21, attracting excited crowds to watch the film in advance.

The film made its debut in the UK at London's BFI IMAX, home to the country's largest IMAX screen and is scheduled to screen in over 250 cinemas of 100 cities across the UK and Ireland during the first week of release.

The film's Europe-wide distributor, Trinity CineAsia, announced that it has acquired theatrical distribution rights for Ne Zha 2 across 37 countries in Europe, including the UK, Ireland, and Germany. This scale of film release is exceptionally rare in the history of overseas distribution for Chinese-language films, reflecting the strong confidence of local cinemas in the movie's market potential.

"The fact that it is here and, you know, that we are getting a lot more influx of films from all across Asia from China, South Korea, Japan, South Asia as well. I think it's really good to kind of like widen the palate, because we all want to escape our little cinematic bubble and see what the rest of the world has to offer," said Jack Martin, a film reviewer, in an interview with the China Central Television (CCTV).

"Ne Zha 2" has shattered global box office records to become the No. 1 box office animated film of all times and also the first non-Hollywood production to crack the global all-time top 10 box office chart.

Rooted in 16th-century Chinese mythology with a bold reinterpretation, the movie has attracted attention of global audiences with its stunning visuals, well-crafted storytelling, and deep cultural heritage.

"And I think all these elements show that Ne Zha 2 is both a film that's modern, but also has its roots in something very deep and very ancient," said Cedric Behrel, managing director of Trinity CineAsia, in an interview with the CCTV.

Many audiences attending the preview screening in London have shared their thoughts about the movie in interviews with the CCTV.

"It was moving like heartwarming. Yes, I'll go home now and talk to it to all my friends," said a moviegoer.

"I thought that the humor of the film was really great, but it balances so perfectly with some of the more dramatic and heartfelt moments of it. And yeah, I really, really enjoyed it. And the language barrier was not a problem at all," said another moviegoer.

"We might not speak the same language, but at its heart is a very universal theme of friendship and just trying to do right in the world. And I think that a lot of people really resonate with that. I can see why it's done so well in China already," said Jack Martin.

James Smith, an social media influencer, shared his views about the movie in Chinese language during the interview. He thought the movie can serve as a bridge for foreigners to understand Chinese culture.

"I watched Ne Zha, the 2019 box office hit, in China. When I heard that its sequel was set to debut in the UK today, I rushed to the cinema to see it. It's definitely a great movie, filled with humor, touching moments, and encouragement. My friends often ask me how they can better understand China, because they think I know something about the country. I would say that you can watch the Ne Zha 2, as I believe it's a great film and through which you can learn something about Chinese culture," he said.

Ne Zha 2 begins preview screenings in London, captivating local audiences