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Shared history in focus as China Film Festival 2025 kicks off in London

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Shared history in focus as China Film Festival 2025 kicks off in London

2025-05-24 15:08 Last Updated At:17:17

The China Film Festival 2025 kicked off in London on Friday, drawing movie enthusiasts and filmmakers to gain a deeper understanding of China and its bilateral ties with the UK through the silver screen.

Nearly 200 Chinese and British guests attended the opening ceremony of the film festival, where they watched the opening film, "The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru," a documentary about the heroic rescue of British prisoners of war (POWs) by Chinese fishermen during World War II.

Zheng Zeguang, Chinese Ambassador to the UK, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony.

"We hope you will find them interesting, enlightening, and conducive to your understanding of China, the country, its people and China-UK relations," Zhang said.

"China and the UK enjoy a solid foundation for film cooperation with complementary strengths and vast potential for development. Filmmakers from both countries have achieved fruitful results in co-productions, technical exchanges, and film and cultural education," said Lu Liang, deputy head of the China Film Administration, at the opening ceremony.

In addition to "The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru," the four-day film festival will also showcase outstanding Chinese films, including "My People, My Country," a film made to celebrate the 70th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China, "The Composer," a drama co-produced by China and Kazakhstan, and the Chinese animated blockbuster "Ne Zha 2."

The event aims to offer audiences in the UK an opportunity to engage with Chinese culture, traditions, and perspectives -- all through the lens of the silver screen.

"Just socializing with Chinese people and understanding that we are similar just from different cultural backgrounds, I think it all helps," said a guest of the opening ceremony.

"It's amazing how there's incredible connections between countries at times that remind us of our shared history rather than a conflict history," said another guest.

"What's happening in China with the animation industry and the entertainment industry presents a huge opportunity," said a guest.

Shared history in focus as China Film Festival 2025 kicks off in London

Shared history in focus as China Film Festival 2025 kicks off in London

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China urges continued dialogue with Afghan interim government at UNSC meeting

2025-06-24 17:06 Last Updated At:18:07

The international community should maintain engagement with the Afghan interim government and step up humanitarian assistance to support the country's recovery, said Geng Shuang, China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, at a UN Security Council open briefing on the situation in Afghanistan on Monday.

He said the country's overall situation remains stable, with progress seen in several areas.

"The overall situation in Afghanistan remains stable. The Afghan interim government has made positive efforts and made much progress in economic development, improving people’s livelihood, combating narcotics, and external exchanges. However, the country is still facing multiple challenges, including humanitarian situation, development, human rights, terrorist threats, and women’s rights. The international community should continue to play a constructive role in helping Afghanistan emerge from its difficult situation at an early date," Geng said.

To address these issues in the war-torn country, Geng put forward a series of proposals.

"Efforts should be made to sustain the momentum of of dialogue and engagement with the Afghan interim government and constantly enhance mutual understanding and trust. More humanitarian aid should be delivered to Afghanistan so as to translate concern for the Afghan people into real action. It is necessary to provide assistance to Afghanistan's economic reconstruction and help it embark on a path of independent development at an early date. Relevant countries should immediately lift illegal unilateral sanctions on Afghanistan and unconditionally return its overseas assets to the country, so as to create necessary conditions for its economic and social development. Efforts should be made to resolutely combat terrorism and prevent Afghanistan from falling into a hub for terrorist groups once again, while helping it develop economy, improve livelihood, protect human rights, and eliminate the root causes of terrorism," Geng said.

He also stressed that China supports the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in continuing to serve as a bridge for exchanges and cooperation with the Afghan authorities, and stands ready to contribute further to Afghanistan's sustained peace, stability and reintegration into the international community.

Earlier in the session, senior UN officials briefed the Security Council on the latest developments in Afghanistan.

Monday's meeting marked the Security Council's regular quarterly session on Afghanistan, with discussions covering a wide range of political, human rights, humanitarian, and socio-economic challenges facing the country.

China urges continued dialogue with Afghan interim government at UNSC meeting

China urges continued dialogue with Afghan interim government at UNSC meeting

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