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

Protesters filled Mexico City's Paseo de la Reforma on Saturday, rallying in solidarity with Venezuela and denouncing U.S. influence in Latin America.

The United States launched a large-scale military operation against Venezuela in the early hours of Jan 3, taking by force Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Holding numerous flags and banners while chanting slogans intermittently, a huge crowd of protesters criticized U.S. military actions against Venezuela and the unlawful control over President Maduro and his spouse, calling for respect for national sovereignty and regional peace.

"We oppose the U.S. intervention and hegemony towards the countries in Latin America. The United States has flagrantly trampled on international law, bombed Caracas and kidnapped the Maduro couple. The U.S. interventionism has become extremely blatant. We must firmly oppose and be highly vigilant, because this is not only related to a certain country, but also to all countries," said a protester.

"We demand that the United States stop interfering in Venezuela's internal affairs. The country must immediately cease its exploitation and plundering of the countries in Latin America," said another protester.

Protest erupts in Mexico City over US military operation in Venezuela