On 18th January 2014, H.E. Mr. Zhou Yuxiao, the Chinese Ambassador to Zambia together with Hon. Dr. John Phiri, Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education, Hon. Joseph Lungu, Deputy Minister of Defense attended the reception of 2014 Chinese Film Festival which was co-hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Zambia and the Confucius Institute at UNZA and watched a feature film at Levy Junction Mall.
In his address, Amb. Zhou thanked Hon. Phiri for gracing the Chinese Film Festival. He said that the two-day event was also meant to serve as a prelude to the 2014 Chinese Spring Festival Temple Fair to be held on Saturday, 25th January 2014 at the same Mall.
Amb. Zhou briefed the audience on the history of Chinese film industry and the current film market in China. According to him, the Chinese film industry has achieved a lot after 100 years' development and China has become the third largest film-producing country with the second largest ticket sales in the world. However, being a developing country, China still has a long way to go and a big room for improvement in the film industry.
Meanwhile, Amb. Zhou expressed gratification that both the Chinese and Zambian governments attached great importance to the cultural aspect when promoting bilateral relations. He further listed a number of achievements made by the two sides in cultural exchange including the establishment of Confucius Institute at UNZA, the exchange of cultural troupes, more than 500 scholarships made available to Zambian students, the handover of 2 China aided rural schools, 2 modern stadiums financed and built by China, and in particular, as a follow-up measure of the cultural cooperation agreement signed during H.E. President Sata' visit to China last April, several Chinese TV series which have been shown on ZNBC and have received favorable comments.
Amb. Zhou assured that there would be more bilateral cultural exchange activities in 2014 while China and Zambia are to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
In his speech, Hon. Phiri noted that China and Zambia are not ordinary friends. He recalled that China helped Zambia build TAZARA railways during which period many Chinese people shed their blood and sacrificed their lives. He said that currently China is still helping Zambia in many fields and the friendship between the two countries is extraordinary and remarkable.
Hon. Phiri also urged Zambian people to learn practical skills from the Chinese so as to help Zambia to develop. He wished the Chinese Film Festival a success and the friendship and mutual cooperation between the two countries develop continuously.