The 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Film and Television Week kicked off on Friday in Qingdao, a coastal city in east China's Shandong Province, serving as an international platform for cross-cultural exchanges.
Co-hosted by China Media Group (CMG), the nation’s leading broadcaster, and the Qingdao municipal government, the event showcases a rich selection of content including films, TV dramas and documentaries from SCO countries.
The opening ceremony of the film and television week featured a wide range of activities, including the release of the screening list, introductions to the opening and featured films, and promotions of Qingdao's film and television industry resources.
According to filmmakers at the event, these high-quality film and television works not only record the changes of the times and depict the diverse landscapes of civilizations but also foster communication across different cultures.
"I think there is a natural connection among the SCO countries, including the resilient spirit of the people, which creates an innate resonance. I've found sort of a sense of familiarity in the films from SCO countries," said Jing Yi, a Chinese film director.
"Movies are once again proving to be a form of public arts without borders. That's why I always look forward to participating in forums like this one," said Darkhan Tulegenov, a director from Kazakhstan.
In the days ahead, Qingdao will host a series of events, including open-air screenings, to transform the city into a dynamic cultural exchange hub.
Established 24 years ago by China and its five neighboring countries, the SCO now has 10 member states, two observer states and 14 dialogue partners from Asia, Europe and Africa.
The bloc's combined GDP surpassed 20 trillion U.S. dollars in 2024, marking a 13-fold increase since its inception. The trade volume reached eight trillion U.S. dollars, accounting for roughly a quarter of global trade.
SCO film, TV week kicks off in east China's Qingdao, fostering cultural exchanges
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
