The 9th Chinese Cinema Festival in Sao Paulo, taking place as Brazil and China celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations, packed theaters with audiences eager to see classic and modern Chinese films.
With 14 movies to choose from, the event proved an overwhelming success. One film buff was drawn by his interest in Chinese martial arts.
"I really liked it. I enjoy Kung Fu films. I practiced martial arts for quite a while, so I'm really interested in this," said Hector Felix, a sales assistant.
The festival was organized with the support of Sao Paulo's Confucius Institute, one of the most important organizations working to spread Chinese culture around the world, including in Brazil.
"A lot of people from other countries are very interested in China, not only in its current development but also the history of China and why China can develop so fast. That must have something to do with its history and Chinese culture. So that's why language and culture are very important for us to know, and that's what our Confucius Institute is doing now," said Ye Dan, director of the Confucius Institute.
As Brazil and China continue to strengthen their political and economic ties, there is also space for events like this Cinema Festival to enhance cultural integration between the two nations.
Romualdo Matos, a Portuguese language teacher, said he was taking the opportunity to broaden his knowledge of Chinese cinema and culture.
"I find it interesting how they value antiquity and ancestry. Even in more modern films, I notice they emphasize this connection to culture and tradition. For a long time, we came to know China through its products, and now we are getting to know China through its culture. This is really great," said Matos.
As the theme of the festival — "Far... But Close" — suggests, Brazil and China may be physically distant, but cultural exchange can help build a bridge and bring these two sides of the planet closer together.
Sao Paulo Chinese cinema festival casts lens on China for Brazilian viewers
Chinese envoy on Wednesday expressed support for the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC) to continue fulfilling its mandate, advancing the Colombian-led and Colombian-owned peace process, and providing vital assistance to Colombia in achieving peace and development.
Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, made the statement when speaking at a UN Security Council meeting on the Colombian situation at the UN headquarter.
UN secretary-general's special representative for Colombia and head of the UNVMC Carlos Ruiz Massieu said that Colombia had achieved some milestones as it celebrated the eighth anniversary of a landmark peace deal. However, violent incidents earlier this year resulted in dozens of deaths. He emphasized the need for Colombia to strengthen the government's presence in remote areas, as the peace agreement remains central to achieving lasting peace in the country. He called on the international community to continue its unwavering support for this process.
Geng expressed hope that in the new year, all parties in Colombia will remain steadfast, united, and committed to writing new chapters of peace, reconciliation, and progress. Geng put forward three key expectations: achieving new progress in improving the security situation, advancing dialogue and reconciliation, and making new achievements in implementing the peace agreement.
"We support the Colombian government's efforts to increase security deployment to effectively deter violent activities, stabilize the situation as quickly as possible, ensure the safety of people's lives, alleviate the local humanitarian crisis, and strengthen protection for former armed personnel, ethnic groups and vulnerable groups such as women and children," said Geng.
Geng noted that the current peace talks between the Colombian government and the National Liberation Army (ELN) have encountered setbacks. China hopes that both sides will resolve their differences through dialogue and resume negotiations at an early date, and expects that the Colombian government's peace talks with other armed groups will remain unaffected, he said.
China commends the Colombian government, under the leadership of President Gustavo Petro, for prioritizing the implementation of the peace agreement in its governance agenda and for its efforts in areas such as rural reform and the reintegration of former armed personnel into society, Geng said.
China also calls on UN agencies, as well as international and regional partners, to continue supporting Colombia in consolidating the achievements of the peace process, he said.
Recently, armed clashes have continued between Colombia's main anti-government armed group, the ELN, and former members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in the Catatumbo region, northern Colombia.
According to data from the Colombian Ombudsman's Office, the conflict has displaced 36,000 people. Petro on Monday declared a state of internal commotion.
FARC, once Colombia's largest anti-government armed group, signed a peace agreement with the government in 2016, disarmed the following year, and transitioned into a political party.
However, some FARC members refused to disarm and formed splinter groups. The ELN primarily engages in drug trafficking and other criminal activities along Colombia's Pacific coast and border regions. On Friday, the Colombian government announced the suspension of peace talks with the ELN once again.
China reaffirms support for Colombia's peace process
China reaffirms support for Colombia's peace process
China reaffirms support for Colombia's peace process
