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
A crossing point on the Türkiye-Iran border is seeing people going in both directions as some flee the conflict in Iran, while others are returning to their homeland with a vow to fight in the war as U.S.-Israel strikes continue to pummel the country.
Nestled in the mountains between Türkiye and Iran, the Kapikoy border crossing has become a key point of entry or exit, especially given the mass flight suspensions and airspace closures as a result of the conflict which erupted on Feb. 28.
Despite the dangers, Akbar, an Iranian who has lived in Germany for 12 years, is one of the many young men who are determined to head home and join the efforts to defend their country.
He said he decided to return immediately after seeing new reports that his hometown of Isfahan in central Iran had been bombed. He vowed to stand by his country until the end. "I want to return to Iran to protect my country. I am willing to give my life for my motherland. For my life and my compatriots, I am willing to give my life. I have no intention of returning to Germany. I will stay in Iran. I will protect my country with my own life. I want the whole world to know Iranians will always steadfastly protect their country," said Akbar.
Other Iranians who had been working in Türkiye said they were prepared to return for the same reason and do whatever they can to protect their homeland.
"Israel and the United States have made a grave mistake. They will pay a price, a heavy one. We will fight to the end to defend Iran," said one of the young men at the border crossing.
But the border point is also seeing a stream of people going in the opposite direction, as many Iranians are passing through here as they seek to flee the constant aerial bombardment by the U.S and Israel.
"We saw many bombs, four bombs, or, I don't know, five bombs. We are very scared, [I'm] with my mom, and we want to go to Türkiye, it's safe there," said Mahir, an Iranian university student.
Mahir also spoke of the trauma brought by the crisis, saying he has barely slept over the past few days, but every time he closes his eyes, all he sees is explosions. He also expressed worries about others who have been left behind, including his best friend, who is still stuck hundreds of kilometers away in the city of Tabriz.
More than 1,330 Iranian civilians, including women and children, have been killed in U.S.-Israeli airstrikes and thousands more injured, Iran's UN ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani said on Friday, while accusing the United States and Israel of deliberately targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure across Iran
U.S.-Israeli strikes continue to pound the capital Tehran and other areas of Iran. Much of the Iranian capital has been shrouded in thick black smoke in recent days after oil depots in surrounding areas were targeted, raising concerns over the impact of pollution and the disruption to fuel supplies.
Since the U.S. and Israel launched large-scale strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, Iran has responded with multiple waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and U.S. assets across the region, hitting many countries in the Gulf.
Some flee, others return to fight as Türkiye-Iran border crossing sees people going in both directions
