The 2025 China Film Night in La Reunion was successfully held in Saint-Denis, capital of France's overseas territory of La Reunion, on Friday evening.
The event attracted over 100 guests, including Chinese and local officials, overseas Chinese representatives, and members of the local community, fostering a vibrant exchange of ideas and cultural dialog.
At the opening ceremony, Chen Xiaolei, Consul General of the Chinese Consulate General in Saint-Denis, said that this year marks the start of the next 60 years of China-France relations. Under the current complicated international situation, strengthening communication and cooperation between China and France is beneficial to both sides and the world.
Luo Yang, deputy director of the China Film Administration, said that this year marks both the 130th anniversary of world cinema and the 120th anniversary of Chinese film. As a universal language that transcends borders and conveys human emotion, film serves as a powerful bridge to deepen mutual understanding and strengthen people-to-people bonds between nations.
Huguette Bello, president of the Regional Council of Reunion, noted that China, with its 1.4 billion people, stands as a global leader in science, technology and manufacturing. Through Chinese films, we can gain valuable insights into both the nation's rich cultural heritage and its remarkable modern development.
The event featured a screening of the Chinese action blockbuster "Born to Fly," accompanied by a Chinese film poster exhibition.
From Sept. 5 to 7, audiences in the region will enjoy six acclaimed Chinese films, including "Ping Pong: The Triumph," "Full River Red," "The Captain" and "Out of Order" will be screened in the region.
China film night in France deepens cultural mutual appreciation
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
