Envoy: Cinema, Now Tool Of Growing Chino-Nigerian Relationship

The China Cultural Centre Counsellor, Yang Jianxing, has explained that cinema is emerging as the latest tool in building bilateral relations, stating that film and artistic collaboration would continue to be employed to boost Chino-Nigerian relations.

He made this declaration on Tuesday evening at the Chinese Embassy’s masterclass and special screening of the acclaimed documentary, ‘Rooting,’ at the Zuma International Film Festival in Abuja.

Yang said the series of events is not only a cinematic feast but also a dialogue between civilisations and a testament to friendship.

The counsellor, who represented the Chinese Ambassador in Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, described the featured documentary ‘Rooting,’ filmed over four years in Yunnan Province, as “a condensed visual chronicle of China’s poverty alleviation efforts.”

He said the film follows a rural villager who escapes poverty with the help of targeted government policies and has earned multiple awards at international film festivals.

Yang said the film’s message mirrors the hopes of many Nigerians. “The film’s theme resonates deeply with the Nigerian people’s aspirations for national development and a better life, and we believe the authentic footage and heartfelt language will strongly resonate with audiences.”

While speaking further, he extended appreciation to festival organisers and key Nigerian film figures.

He said: “On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria and the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Zuma International Film Festival Organising Committee for their meticulous preparations and warm invitation.”

He also praised the Chinese filmmakers behind ‘Rooting’ for travelling to Nigeria for the screening. “I extend my highest respect to Director Chai Hongfang and Director of Editing Zhou Xinxia, who have travelled all the way from China, and express my heartfelt thanks to China Harbour Engineering Company (Nigeria) Ltd. for their tremendous support,” he added.

Highlighting the cultural dynamism of both Nigeria and China, he observed that “China and Nigeria are world-renowned film-producing countries,” adding that Nollywood’s output of 2,500 films annually makes it the world’s second-largest film industry.

He described the Zuma Film Festival as “an important window for exchange and mutual learning between different civilisations.”

Jianxing also spotlighted China’s own cinematic growth. “In 2024, the number of screens in China exceeded 90,000, and the total box office reached 6 billion US dollars,” he said, noting the country’s evolution from black-and-white productions to a global film powerhouse.

He underscored the cultural weight of documentary filmmaking, despite limited commercial returns. “We should pay our highest respects to Director Chai Hongfang, Director of Editing Zhou Xinxia, and their colleagues for their dedication and contributions to social progress.”

Yang announced that another Chinese documentary, SHENZHOU13, filmed by astronauts aboard the Shenzhou Space Station, would also be screened at the festival. “We believe this screening of Chinese films will be another beautiful chapter in the history of cultural exchange between our two countries,” he stated.

Yang linked the event to broader policy, explaining that the outcomes of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee emphasised deeper global cultural exchanges.

He reminded the audience that 2026 is designated the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, adding: “We look forward to deeper exchanges and cooperation between China and Nigeria in the film field, playing a bridging role in enhancing the friendship between the two peoples.”