China Film Festival opened in US

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The week-long "China Film Festival 2006" has kicked off in the form of a film symposium on April 17th in Washington, DC.

The festival, which was scheduled to coincide with Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to the United States, is hoped to build a fine cultural atmosphere for his trip, says Zhang Peimin, a top official from the China's State Administration of Radio, Film & Television, or SARFT .

"From a cultural aspect, the festival can demonstrate the development and changes in China to the American people on the screen. It will be beneficial for the development of our bilateral relationship."

Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi says the festival will contribute to the cultural communication between China and the U.S..

"With his coming to America, President Hu has emphasized the cultural communication between China and the U.S. Thus, we hope we can help elevate the position of Chinese films in the world much more strongly and quickly. The festival makes great sense."

The festival, which is jointly organized by the Motion Picture Association of America, the National Geographic Society and SARFT, aims at enlarging the Chinese film market in America.

Several recent Chinese films, such as House of Flying Daggers, Kekexili and The Beauty Remains, will be showcased during the festival.