The 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Film Festival held a film and television technology showcase on Friday, highlighting industrial cooperation and technological exchanges among SCO member states.
As a major cultural exchange initiative among SCO member states, the festival is taking place in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality from Thursday to next Monday this year. With the theme "Technology and Film, Charms of the SCO," the event celebrates the 130th anniversary of world cinema and the 120th anniversary of Chinese cinema, spotlighting the latest technological progress in China's film industry while providing a vital platform for film and television industry exchanges.
One of the festival's highlights, the Film and Television Technology Exhibition, was opened on Friday, presenting the latest milestones in China's film industrialization, digitization, and intelligent transformation, covering cutting-edge technologies like virtual studio and AI-integrated film making.
During the exhibition, industry experts and officials from SCO member states voiced hopes for deepening cooperation on film technology and cultural exchange.
"It is really hard to keep pace with Chinese film technology. It's amazing, developing so rapidly, always bringing something new, which is fantastic. We have so much to learn and so many goals to pursue. It is also wonderful that you present these technologies so warmly, giving us a chance to make use of these resources," said Alesya Rulkova, Executive Director of the Minsk International Film Festival "Listapad."
"China's film market has a very high standing globally. It is among the top three, perhaps even the number one. Its technology is advancing fast as well. We hope to collaborate in all these areas," said Marat Asanaliev, Deputy Director of the Department of Cinematography of Kyrgyzstan.
In addition, the SCO Film Festival also held a series of other parallel events, including the Festival's FilmMart, to promote industrial cooperation and cultural exchange between SCO member states.
SCO Film Festival showcases advanced technologies, promotes global exchanges
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital of Lesotho.
During the meeting, Wang congratulated Lesotho on the 60th anniversary of its independence this year, and spoke highly of Lesotho government's efforts to prioritize economic development and steer the African country onto a path of sustainable growth. Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, the two sides have advanced cooperation under the 10 partnership action plans unveiled at the summit, successfully implementing a number of key projects to effectively promote Lesotho's development and revitalization, Wang said.
China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and push for greater development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership, he added.
Calling on the two sides to firmly support each other, Wang said that China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development.
China will continue to stand firmly with African countries, uphold justice for the Global South, including Lesotho, oppose unilateralism and acts of bullying, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.
On his part, Matekane said during the meeting that Lesotho cherishes its friendship with China and the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for the development of African countries, including Lesotho.
Lesotho firmly adheres to the one-China principle and resolutely supports China in safeguarding its core interests, he said, noting that his country stands ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust with China, expand people-to-people exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.
Matekane stressed that China's zero-tariff policy for African products will inject new impetus into Lesotho's development. He also expressed Lesotho's willingness to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges.
On the same day, Wang also held talks with Lejone Mpotjoana, minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Lesotho.
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
