The Cultural Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy Yang Jianxing, and Director of the China Cultural Centre in Abuja, highlighted cinema as a powerful emerging platform for strengthening bilateral ties. He noted that film and artistic collaborations serve as a vital and growing bridge of diplomacy with Nigeria.
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He made the remarks during the Chinese Embassy’s masterclass and special screening of the acclaimed documentary Rooting, led by the film’s director, Ms. Chai Hongfang, and editor, Ms. Zhou Hongxia, who traveled to Nigeria to participate in the event.
Reaffirming China’s commitment to deepening cultural and cinematic cooperation with Nigeria, he noted that both China and Nigeria are globally recognised film powerhouses, with the country’s evolution from black-and-white productions to a global film powerhouse.
Nollywood, he said,: ” produces about 2,500 films annually, ranking as the world’s second-largest film industry. Meanwhile, China’s film industry continues to grow, boasting over 90,000 cinema screens and a $6 billion box office in 2024″.
The Cultural Counselor, described the featured documentary Rooting, filmed over four years in Yunnan Province, as a condensed visual chronicle of China’s poverty alleviation efforts.
According to the Envoy. 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. With the film’s message showcasing 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,” he noted.
While speaking further, he extended appreciation to festival organisers and key Nigerian film figures.
“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 said.
He also commended 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.
While highlighting the cultural dynamism of both nations, Yang described the Zuma Film Festival as an avenue for mutual learning.
“China and Nigeria are world-renowned film-producing countries. Nollywood’s output of 2,500 films annually makes it the world’s second-largest film industry.
The Zuma Film Festival is an important window for exchange and mutual learning between different civilisations.”
He underscored the cultural weight of documentary filmmaking, despite limited commercial returns.
“We should pay our highest respect to Director Chai Hongfang, Director of Editing Zhou Xinxia and their colleagues for their dedication and contributions to social progress,” he said.
Jianxing 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 begin another beautiful chapter in the history of cultural exchange between our two countries,” he stated.
Linking the event to broader policy, Yang explained 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 as the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
“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.”
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of China Harbour Engineering Company (Nigeria) Wang Wenfei, said film has the unique ability to transcend national boundaries.
Wang while reflecting on China Harbour’s longstanding presence in Nigeria, he noted that the company has actively contributed to Nigeria’s infrastructural progress through projects such as the Lekki Deep Seaport and the Keffi Makurdi Enugu road expansion projects.
On his part the Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), Ali Nuhu, stressed that the partnership between Nigeria and China in the creative sector is not just emerging but is already active and expanding.noting that Nigeria and China are already developing a joint film production slate aimed at deepening collaboration between both countries’ creative industries, the Federal Government has disclosed.
Nuhu explained that ongoing cultural exchange engagements, such as the screening of Rooting and the technical masterclass facilitated by its director, Chai Hongfang, and editor, Zhou Hongxia, are helping Nigerian filmmakers learn new techniques and approaches to documentary production.
“With this masterclass, our local directors and editors here will understand the techniques that went into producing this documentary. And the Chinese filmmakers have also expressed willingness to collaborate with any Nigerian filmmaker interested,” he said.
The Managing Director also disclosed that the Nigerian government, through the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, has already initiated a broader co-production plan with Chinese partners.
“Recently, a delegation from China visited Nigeria, and the NFC accompanied them on visits to film sets in Lagos. What we intend to do is roll out a slate of about ten films. For each of these films, we will engage various production companies in Nigeria, and the casts will include both Nigerian and Chinese actors,” he noted.
Speaking on the significance of the Zuma International Film Festival, Nuhu described it as the Federal Government’s official platform for global cinematic exchange.
“Zuma Film Festival is owned and organised by the Nigerian Film Corporation. It is a platform where filmmakers from Nigeria, Africa, and across the world come together to network, collaborate, and understand each other’s craft. They study our pattern of filmmaking, we study theirs, and we learn the latest technological trends,” he added.
The Film festival Organised by the Nigerian Firm Cooperation, the Zuma Film Festival provides a platform where filmmakers from Nigeria and across the globe come together to network, collaborate and get to understand each other’s craft better.