The 9th Asian Winter Games, which opened in Harbin, the capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, will fuel enthusiasm for winter sports and further strengthen people-to-people exchanges between China and Thailand, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said on Thursday.
The Games, which opened on Friday and will run until February 14, have brought together over 1,200 competitors from 34 countries and regions, making this edition the largest in terms of participating delegations and athletes.
In an exclusive interview with China Media Group (CMG) in Beijing, Paetongtarn reflected on her past experiences in Harbin, shared her hopes for the event’s impact, and emphasized the role of sports in strengthening Thailand-China relations.
"I came to Harbin about ten years ago to watch the Ice and Snow Festival. There is no snow in Thailand, and I was deeply amazed at the time. In these Asian Winter Games, I will, of course, cheer for the Thai athletes, but I will also cheer for all the participating athletes. Although some will win and some will lose in sports competitions, the ultimate goal is to promote understanding and strengthen exchanges. I hope all athletes can fully showcase their abilities and live up to their training. This time in Harbin, I have the opportunity to speak with the athletes, take some beautiful photos, and share them with audiences in Thailand and China. Through sports exchanges and cooperation, Thailand and China can further enhance bilateral relations," she said.
Paetongtarn landed in Beijing on Wednesday for a four-day official visit to China at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and, on Friday evening, attended the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games alongside Thai government officials.
Thailand sent a delegation of more than 100 people to the grand event, including its ice hockey and curling teams, which made their debut.
9th Asian Winter Games to deepen people-to-people exchanges with China: Thai PM
9th Asian Winter Games to deepen people-to-people exchanges with China: Thai PM
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
