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

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

Iran is not only ready for talks with the U.S. on the basis of mutual respect, but also fully prepared for war, said Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Monday.

At a press conference in Tehran, Araghchi accused the U.S. and Israel of playing a direct role in recent unrest across Iran. He said the Iranian government has obtained evidence showing that the recent disturbances, including attacking police stations and burning public facilities, were carried out by "terrorists" backed by the U.S. and Israel.

The Iranian government announced a three-day nationwide mourning period from Monday to honor police officers, security personnel, and civilians killed during the disturbances.

According to Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency, at least 111 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in the unrest over the past two weeks. Iranian authorities have not released official casualty figures for protesters.

At midday on Monday, Iranians remained largely without internet access, according to on-the-ground reporting by a China Media Group (CM) journalist, who also said domestic phone services have not been disrupted in Iran over the past 24 hours.

Security has been reinforced across Tehran, with police increasing patrols in key locations and blocks.

Despite heightened security measures, traffic conditions in Tehran were reported to be normal.

Iran ready for talks with US based on mutual respect: FM

Iran ready for talks with US based on mutual respect: FM