In the lead-up to Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Cambodia, China Media Group (CMG) launched a special screening event in Phnom Penh on Sunday, showcasing a selection of its premium films and television programs.
The event began with video addresses by CMG President Shen Haixiong, Khim Vuthy, director general of National Television of Cambodia (TVK), and Khvay Atitya, director of Cambodia's Apsara TV. The screening lineup includes highly acclaimed documentaries such as "Up and Out of Poverty", "China: Race to the Future", "Eat Like the Locals in Hainan Province", and "Fine Arts in China", offering a glimpse into the country's poverty reduction efforts, local delicacies, and its rich cultural heritage.
Reflecting President Xi's people-centered development philosophy, the films provide audiences with an in-depth look at the dynamic vitality and growth of contemporary China.
TVK Director General said that CMG's premium films offer Cambodian viewers a rare opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of China's development. He expressed confidence that the screenings will allow the Cambodian audience to experience the distinct charm of Chinese culture firsthand.
A total of seven series will air on major media platforms in Cambodia, including TVK, Apsara TV, and Hang Meas HDTV, with the screenings running until the end of June.
President Xi will embark on a state visit to Malaysia and Cambodia from April 15 to 18, following his visit to Vietnam from April 14 to 15, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Friday.
CMG launches special film screening program in Cambodia ahead of Xi's visit
Indonesia's first locally born baby panda Rio has attracted crowds of people to the Taman Safari Indonesia (TSI) in Bogor, south of Jakarta, since he was officially introduced to the public late last month, with visitors excited to catch a glimpse of the safari's most famous resident.
Rio was born on Nov 27 last year, weighing just 200 grams, but has since developed into a healthy 11 kilogram male as he made his public debut on May 30.
The cub was conceived by Chinese-loaned pandas Cai Tao and Hu Chun, and is Indonesia's first giant panda bred in captivity.
Many Indonesians used to have to travel all the way to China if they wanted to see a baby panda. Now, they are delighted to have a beloved bear right at home.
"I am grateful that Taman Safari Indonesia has been given the opportunity to build good bilateral relations between Indonesia and China. This is an activity that I think has a direct impact not only on people who love pandas, but can also be a learning medium, including for students who today come in large numbers. I am very happy because finally Taman Safari has been able to breed a panda after three failed trials. So, it's all just very touching," said Dr. Missie Gustini, a visitor.
Rio lives in a lavish structure called the Panda Palace along with his parents, who arrived from China in 2017 in an act of "panda diplomacy" which aimed to mark 60 years of ties between Indonesia and China.
Rio is taken as a shortened version of his full name, Satrio Wiratama, which means 'brave' and 'noble warrior'. The team at the safari say this name was chosen to symbolize the conservation partnership between Indonesia and China.
"The main message is about conservation. I think conservation doesn't see countries, doesn't see boundaries. When you talk about conservation, a Chinese animal, we can do conservation in Indonesia. Indonesian animals, you can do conservation in Europe. So, if you're an expert in Europe, you're an expert in Africa, you can contribute to conservation for the whole world. I think having this baby Rio is just, what do you call it, it's kind of opened up the possibilities for conservation efforts all over the world, for all of the species, especially the endangered species all over the world," said Aswin Sumampao, president director of the Taman Safari.
Indonesian-born giant panda cub enjoys popularity after meeting public
