Film fans in New Zealand charmed by Chinese culture as hit animation makes waves

The hugely popular Chinese animation movie "Ne Zha 2" has been captivating moviegoers in New Zealand, with many viewers saying it has even aroused their interest in making a trip to China.

The film has shattered numerous box office records since its release on the Chinese mainland during the recent Chinese New Year, and it has already surpassed Disney's 2024 picture "Inside Out 2" to become the highest-grossing animated movie of all time.

Since being released in New Zealand on Feb. 13, the movie has also been attracting film fans who have been impressed by its cutting-edge presentation and entertaining tale based on ancient Chinese mythology.

In the capital Wellington, residents all of ages have been enjoying the charm of Chinese movies.

"I watched the movie 'Ne Zha' and I felt very happy after it. Today I went to a face painting place and I chose to be a Chinese princess. I think China is beautiful. I want to go to China," said a young girl named Emily.

"I like some of the Chinese movies I saw. Some of them are comedies, the comedies I like too. And some are action [films]. It's a good movie. I like it. I'd like to go to China to visit, to visit [the country] and the Chinese people," said Sam, a resident.

"I've always been very interested in Chinese culture, so I'm looking forward to learning a bit more and seeing something new. I know it's very popular. So, it's exciting," said another resident named Zayn.

Others say they enjoyed experiencing the philosophical ideas and depiction of traditional Chinese culture in the movie, which charts the story of a rebellious boy-god from Chinese folklore.

"I really like when they go into the history of Chinese movies. And some of the Chinese movies again from quite a while ago, they go into Taoism that I like. The philosophy of Chinese culture is a little more pragmatic. They're a little bit more down to earth and a little bit more focused on doing a good job now," said a resident named Mike.

"The culture is transmitted through film and Chinese culture is ancient and wise and is an example for the rest of the world at this time," said another local called Paul.

"I think an understanding of Chinese culture is essential to a closer understanding between our two peoples. The more we understand and appreciate each other's cultures, the better we understand how to cooperate together," said Chris Lipscombe, the National President of the New Zealand China Friendship Society.

Film fans in New Zealand charmed by Chinese culture as hit animation makes waves

Beijing, capital of China, saw an increased number of inbound visits during this year's three-day Qingming Festival holiday which started on Friday, according to data from the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism.

Data shows that Beijing recorded over 9.59 million visits during the holiday, indicating a 6.2-percent increase compared with the same period in 2024. Based on the visits, the city saw a total tourism expenditure of 11.5 billion yuan (about 1.57 billion U.S. dollars), up 9.5 percent year on year.

Among the figures, the city received 69,000 visits made by overseas inbound tourists, a year-on-year increase of 45.6 percent. International tourism expenditure in Beijing reached 740 million yuan (about 101.19 million U.S. dollars), indicating a significant year-on-year growth of 46.2 percent.

Qingming Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday that falls on the 15th day after the Spring Equinox. Often seen as a time to enjoy the greenery of springtime and to visit the graves of ancestors, the holiday has also become a busy period for cultural and tourism activities in China.

Inbound visits to Beijing see robust increase during Qingming holiday