The Counsellor at the China Cultural Centre, Yang Jianxing, says cinema and artistic collaboration have become emerging tools in strengthening China–Nigeria relations, with both countries set to deepen cultural and creative exchanges.
Yang made the remarks on Tuesday evening during a masterclass and special screening of the acclaimed documentary Rooting at the Chinese Embassy’s session during the Zuma International Film Festival (ZUFF) in Abuja.
He described the series of activities as more than film showcases, calling them “a dialogue between civilisations and a testament to friendship.”
Representing China’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, Yang praised Rooting—a documentary filmed over four years in Yunnan Province—as “a condensed visual chronicle of China’s poverty alleviation efforts.” The film follows a rural villager who escapes poverty through targeted government support and has won multiple international awards.
Yang said the documentary’s theme “resonates deeply with the Nigerian people’s aspirations for national development and a better life,” expressing confidence that its “authentic footage and heartfelt language” would connect strongly with audiences.
He commended the Zuma Film Festival organisers and appreciated Nigerian film industry stakeholders for fostering collaboration. He also saluted the documentary’s director, Chai Hongfang, and editor, Zhou Xinxia, for travelling to Nigeria for the festival, acknowledging support from China Harbour Engineering Company (Nigeria) Ltd.
Highlighting the creative strength of both nations, Yang noted that “China and Nigeria are world-renowned film-producing countries,” with Nollywood’s estimated 2,500 annual film releases making it the world’s second-largest film industry.
He described ZUFF as “an important window for exchange and mutual learning between different civilisations,” while pointing out China’s cinematic growth—now boasting more than 90,000 cinema screens and a 2024 box office of $6 billion.
Yang underscored the cultural value of documentary filmmaking, despite modest commercial returns, praising the dedication of Chinese filmmakers for their contributions to social awareness and progress.
He announced that another Chinese documentary, SHENZHOU13—filmed aboard the Shenzhou Space Station—would also be screened at the festival, calling the screenings “another beautiful chapter in the history of cultural exchange between our two countries.”
Linking the event to broader policy direction, Yang said outcomes from the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee emphasised expanding global cultural exchange. With 2026 earmarked as the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, he expressed optimism for deeper cooperation in film and culture.
“We look forward to closer exchanges between China and Nigeria in the film sector, playing a bridging role in strengthening the friendship between our two peoples,” he said.
