Chinese blockbuster movies are hit in South Africa

Recent Chinese blockbuster movies, which smashed box office records in China during the Spring Festival season, are now finding new and enthusiastic audiences in South Africa.

An event titled "China Travel With Chinese Films" hosted by the China Media Group (CMG) was held at Nelson Mandela Square, in Johannesburg on Sunday, attracting local residents and movie enthusiasts to show their appreciation for Chinese films.

Epic fantasy film "Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force" has set the record for the highest box office take for a Chinese-language film in Africa in the past decade and, since its premier here on Jan 30, has become the most popular foreign language film and in the top eight for all films at the South African box office in that time.

"After watching the movie, I want to visit China, because the scenery, the landscapes in China is just amazing. And how rapidly fast the technology is growing, I want to learn more about the rapidly-growing technology, and you see how China's influence in South Africa is also growing, and that's one of the main reasons why I do want to go and visit China," said a moviegoer named Sidny.

"I am really excited to see this movie coming out, definitely would love to buy a ticket, bring some of my friends. I really love the Asian community. I watch a lot of animation. It's just an interesting land, an interesting space to explore the culture, the people, really, really different as well. It's a movie that I would love to watch, definitely," said Eugene Nkundlande, another moviegoer .

With the release of Chinese films such as the animated blockbuster "Ne Zha 2" and action comedy "Detective Chinatown 1900", African audiences are increasingly interested in Chinese culture and tourism, sparking their curiosity about Chinese history, culture and society.

"From a very young age, I have always enjoyed watching Chinese movies, films. I grew up watching Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee, and those are the icons that sparked my interest in wanting to learn and know more about the culture. And also, the Chinese film have also really played a huge role in that, because now, they make me to understand it even more, because of the way in which they visualize it, so I understand the visuals that they are using and also, their storytelling is very brilliant and they are ranking even top over the Hollywood blockbuster, and it's a really great experience," said Pretty Zungu, a teacher in Johannesburg.

Chinese blockbuster movies are a hit in South Africa

A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday slammed Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te over his latest remarks on cross-Strait relations, accusing him of promoting secessionism and escalating tensions across the Taiwan Strait.

Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said in a press release that Lai's speech marking his second anniversary in office was "filled with lies and deception, hostility and confrontation."

Chen accused Lai of stubbornly adhering to a secessionist stance in pursuit of "Taiwan independence," while exaggerating the so-called threats from the mainland and intensifying confrontation across the Strait.

Lai played an old trick of advocating the secessionist agenda on one hand and, on the other, calling insincerely for dialogue and exchanges with the mainland, attempting to mislead people in Taiwan and deceive the international community, he said.

Chen said that these common tricks have been seen through by more and more Taiwanese people. Their deceptive and provocative actions will be met with firm opposition from compatriots on both sides and the international community, and are doomed to fail.

Reaffirming the mainland's position on the Taiwan question, Chen said Taiwan has never been a country, is not one now, and will never become one in the future.

He described the Taiwan question as a historical issue left over from a Chinese civil war in the 1940s.

No election result in Taiwan could alter the fact that Taiwan is part of China or sever the historical and legal bonds linking the two sides of the Strait, according to Chen.

The mainland would never allow any person or force to pursue secessionist activities under any pretext, he added.

Calling secessionists "the chief culprit" who undermines cross-Strait peace, Chen said the mainland would continue to uphold the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, unite broadly with Taiwan compatriots, combat secessionist activities, and safeguard peace and stability across the Strait.

Central government spokesperson refutes Lai Ching-te's latest remarks, warns against secessionist moves