Sci-tech innovation is a common aspiration in Africa and an opportunity for deepening cooperation with China, said President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso in an interview aired on Friday evening.
Sassou Nguesso made the statement in the interview with China Media Group (CMG) in early September while he was in Beijing for a state visit and attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
The Republic of the Congo established its first artificial intelligence research center in 2022. Sassou Nguesso said digital technologies and digital economy will play an important role in Africa's future.
"Sci-tech innovation is becoming a common aspiration of the Republic of the Congo and Africa. Young people in Africa have been widely mobilized to actively engage in innovation work in countries across the continent, including start-ups and explorations in various fields. This marks a huge step forward for Africa's development, and it is what African youths are longing for," said Sassou Nguesso.
Sci-tech innovation common aspiration in Africa : Republic of Congo president
Movie fans stepped into the shooting locations of racing-comedy film "Pegasus 3" to explore the industrial site that served as the racetrack in the film during a public open day event on Saturday in Ningbo City, east China's Zhejiang Province.
"Pegasus 3" is the third installment in Director Han Han's racing-comedy franchise starring Shen Teng, one of China's most bankable comedic actors. As of Monday, it has surpassed a box office of over 41 billion yuan (around 596 million U.S. dollars), according to ticketing tracker Maoyan.
A refining plant belonging to Sinopec Zhenhai Refining and Chemical Company, a key filming location for "Pegasus 3," saw its unique industrial landscape transformed into a futuristic cyberpunk-style racetrack in the film.
On the open day event at the plant, many fans located the starting point of the "Muchen 100 Rally" qualifying track from the movie while gathering near the entrance. Refining towers, pipe corridors and lighting perfectly matched the shots seen in the film.
"I'm so happy to visit the plant after seeing 'Pegasus 3.' Seeing these buildings and lights in person makes me feel very proud," said Zheng Sijun, a movie fan.
Many industrial facilities, roads and embankment greenways in the plant area appeared in the film's racetrack scenes. These real industrial settings became a vital part of the movie's visual effects.
Fans also entered the central control room of the refinery to get a close-up look at operations.
"When watching the movie, we only saw a general view of the plant on screen. But coming to the site, you realize this is a truly huge, vast and awe-inspiring industrial complex," said Wang Ziyi, another movie fan.
The event's success indicates that the public's passion for film can be translated into educational initiatives, boosting awareness of China's advancements in productive forces among everyday people in the country.
Popular racing film spurs visits to shooting location in east China's Ningbo city
