Envoy calls films 'bridge of friendship'

China's ambassador to the United States, in remarks to film and TV festivals, said films can be a "bridge of friendship" between the two countries.

Ambassador Xie Feng made the comment in a video address for the opening ceremony of the 20th Chinese American film and TV festivals on Friday.

The Chinese American Film Festival and the Chinese American TV Festival, held annually in Los Angeles, celebrate the best in Chinese and US cinema and television.

For more than two decades, the film festival has presented more than 8,000 films, providing a platform for stories that reflect the rich cultural tapestries of both nations.

Xie celebrated the festivals as catalysts for bringing together leading filmmakers from both nations and promoting dialogue through art. "Film is an art of light and shadow, a mirror of reality, and it is also a medium for cultural exchanges."

He illustrated cinema's power and influence by referencing iconic films that resonate in both countries, from US blockbusters such as Titanic and Transformers to Chinese hits such as The Wandering Earth and YOLO.

He recalled the history of cultural exchange going back to 1954, when Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai invited Charlie Chaplin to a Geneva screening of The Butterfly Lovers — China's first color film, often called the "Chinese Romeo and Juliet".

Xie spoke of how films captivate global audiences, drawing emotional connections between people of different backgrounds. "Chinese kids singing Let It Go from Frozen, or American children carrying panda plushies to watch Kung Fu Panda — this is the magic of film."

Highlighting strong bilateral ties in the film sector, Xie pointed to the mutual benefits of collaboration. In the first nine months of this year, 34 US films were screened in China, generating $674 million in box office revenue.

"Our cooperation has brought fruitful outcomes and holds bright prospects. China's massive and growing film market, with its 1.4 billion audience and 88,000 screens, presents tremendous opportunities," Xie said.

While China offers a vast audience and a rich historical narrative, he acknowledged the US film industry's long-standing expertise in funding, technology and marketing.

The world's two largest film markets have much to offer each other in creating cinematic works that resonate globally, he said.

By blending strengths, he suggested, they can jointly overcome new challenges posed by emerging technologies in filmmaking.

Xie highlighted the continuing collaboration in coproductions by saying, "It is heartening to see that Chinese elements have contributed to the success of a number of American films."

That partnership demonstrates the power of cultural exchange in enriching storytelling and fostering shared growth, he said.

Xie also touched on China's broader commitment to cultural exchange, announcing further institutional reforms to enhance global collaboration in film, telecommunications and other cultural sectors.

"This high-standard opening-up will create substantial opportunities for high-quality cultural products from around the world."

Xie also warned against misconceptions and divisive narratives. "If we demonize each other, we would be preoccupied by paranoia and caught in a spiral of enmity."

Accurate reporting

Reflecting on US journalist Edgar Snow's dedication to accurate reporting on China, Xie referenced a recent coproduced documentary, Snow: The Unfinished Journey, as a tribute to understanding and goodwill.

"The foundation of the China-US relationship was laid by our peoples, and its future will be created by our peoples," he said, expressing hope for more storytellers to bring balanced, nuanced portrayals of China-US relations to global audiences.

Chinese Consul General in Los Angeles Guo Shaochun emphasized the mutually beneficial nature of China-US cooperation in film and television, fostered by supportive policies by the two governments.

"The collaboration between China and the US in film and television is a prime example of mutually beneficial, win-win cooperation," Guo said, highlighting the influx of Hollywood films to China, with 40 major releases entering the Chinese market last year alone.

"Many Chinese filmmakers have come to Hollywood to learn and share ideas, and some are now actively shaping the industry and advancing film and television production in China," he said.