International: The Chinese film showcase titled “Light and Shadow Along the Silk Road” officially opened at the Alatau Cinema Hall in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, featuring a selection of Chinese films.

Around 300 guests attended the opening ceremony, including Li Hua, Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Kyrgyzstan; Taranbek Tolbekov, Director of the Film Department under Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Culture, Information and Youth Policy; and Wang Lu, Director of the Film and Television Translation and Production Center of China Media Group (CMG).

A diverse selection of Chinese films has been chosen for the showcase with the aim of implementing the consensus reached by the leaders of China and Kyrgyzstan and further deepening people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Li Hua said China and Kyrgyzstan are close neighbors with a long-standing tradition of friendship. The ancient Silk Road has witnessed more than 2,000 years of friendly exchanges between the peoples of the two countries. The Belt and Road Initiative, he added, has injected new momentum into comprehensive cooperation between China and Kyrgyzstan.

Li also noted that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Kyrgyzstan is currently holding the organization`s rotating presidency and is scheduled to host an upcoming SCO summit. He expressed hope that the film showcase would play a positive role in strengthening film and cultural exchanges within the SCO framework while further deepening mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of China and Kyrgyzstan.

Taranbek Tolbekov said the film showcase offers Kyrgyz audiences a window into modern China. Through the films, he said, audiences will gain a better understanding of China, its people and contemporary Chinese culture.

He expressed hope that “Light and Shadow Along the Silk Road” would mark the beginning of a new phase of China-Kyrgyzstan cooperation, serving as a bridge for innovative collaboration between filmmakers from the two countries and helping strengthen the deep friendship between their peoples.

Wang Lu said CMG has consistently used film and television as bridges to promote communication and exchanges among different cultures. Although the Chinese films presented at the showcase explore diverse themes, he said, their sincere emotions and humanistic values can transcend cultural boundaries and resonate with audiences around the world.

Several major Kyrgyz media outlets, including the country’s national television channel and national news agency, covered the event.

Source: Shishir, Alim and Akash, China Media Group.