Project to promote Chinese films in Africa launched

A project to promote Chinese films in Africa and enhance cultural exchanges has been launched.

Kongfu star Jackie Chan performs during the opening ceremony for the first SCO Film Festival in Qingdao city, east China's Shandong Province, 13 June 2018.[File photo: IC]

"The Forbiden Kingdom of Jackie Chan."

"Jackie Chan. I like the way he fights. His confidence. He's too funny sometimes."

A group of local students in Cape Town talk excitedly about Chinese movies and movie stars.

The children say the large number of Chinese movies they are exposed to helps them to learn Chinese language and understand Chinese culture.

More people in Africa are expected to get access to Chinese films thanks to the launch of the Chinese Film in Africa project.

The project is set to screen Chinese films dubbed into local African languages across Africa, spreading Chinese films to ordinary households.

Bome Matshaba, Deputy Permanent Secretary (DPS) under the President of Botswana, suggsts the project will not only enrich people's lives, but also deepen cultural cooperation between China and Africa.

"This project will play an important role in promoting mutual understaing and friendship between the peoples of China and Africa, as well consolidating the cooperation between the cultures. It is my hope that Chinese and African movies will be aired through this project to enrich cultural exchanges, cultural lives of African people and Chinese."

Stats show that over 300 Chinese films and TV series have been translated into seven widely used languages in Africa such as Swahili, Hausa and Arabic by China Media Group.

Those works have been screeened in more than 40 African countries.

Sun Yusheng, Vice President of China Central Television, says more efforts will be made to enhance such exchanges between China and Africa.

"More Chinese films and TV series will be screened in African townships, rural areas to meet their demand for various recreational activites. This will also bestow local people with more opportunities to learn about the Chinese people and Chinese culture. "