"Chang'an, Xi'an", the first film themed around the Belt and Road Initiative and co-produced by China and Iran, premiered at the 11th Silk Road International Film Festival in Xi'an City of northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Sunday.
In an interview with China Central Television on the sidelines of the premiere, the film's Iranian director and producer discussed the challenges the crew faced during the creation process and the unique role that film plays in promoting cultural exchange.
Using the Chang'an model cross-border China-Europe freight train as the carrier, the film delves into a cross-border love tale, weaving together modern and ancient Chinese elements.
"As [a producer of] the film 'Chang'an, Xi'an', I aim to authentically and positively tell China's stories and make China's voice heard. Therefore, I hope that in the future, it will be screened internationally or in Iran to let more people understand the real stories of China," said Hossein Khalifi, the Iranian producer.
Through visual storytelling, the film aims to bridge the gap between cultures and promote cooperation along the Silk Road.
This year's festival opened on Saturday in Xi'an, the eastern starting point of the ancient Silk Road, and will last for five days.
First "Belt and Road" themed film "Chang'an, Xi'an" premieres in northwest China's Xi’an
The 21st China-ASEAN Expo and the China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit opened on Tuesday in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
The exhibition area of the expo this year is nearly 200,000 square meters. More than 3,000 enterprises are participating in the event, including more than 800 from ASEAN and outside the region.
Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang addressed the opening ceremony of the expo, saying that China is willing to work with ASEAN to deepen practical cooperation and write a new chapter in building a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future.
Participants of the expo said it provides a good opportunity to deepen cooperation with China and ASEAN.
"We are proud to participate here in this China-ASEAN Expo, and China is on top of trade partners for UAE, also for the past almost 20 years. We have very strong partnership and strategic relations with ASEAN. What we see, there is potential for upgrading the level of cooperation between China and UAE in the future," said Abdulla Al Saleh, Under Secretary of the Foreign Trade and Industry at the UAE Ministry of Economy.
This year's expo has added exhibition areas such as strategic emerging topics, digital technology, and ASEAN high-tech products. The exhibition period has been extended from the previous four days to five days, adding a special public opening day.
During the expo, a number of activities will be held, including the Global Services Trade Summit, negotiation and promotion, and results release.
21st China-ASEAN Expo opens in Nanning
