CGTN presents Documentary Film Festival with Latin American participation

The China Media Group (CMG), the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism jointly launched the Belt and Road China Documentary Festival-International Screening online.

2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the start of the Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping.

The festival features more than 60 original documentaries and feature films in English, Spanish, French, Arabic and Russian from CGTN that will be broadcast through hundreds of outlets around the world by arrangements with the network itself. In addition, there will be broadcasts at overseas Chinese cultural centers, seeking to present a panoramic view of the stories of connectivity development and friendly exchanges between participating Belt and Road countries.

At the launching ceremony, Qin Gang, Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, Hu Heping, Minister of Culture and Tourism of China, and Shen Haixiong, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of China Media Group, respectively delivered speeches and jointly opened this Chinese Documentary Festival.

Shen Haixiong, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of China Media Group, said in his speech, “China has joined the world in writing countless wonderful stories, interpreting reality more vividly. We will show the vibrant gardens of the Belt and Road through the videos,” said Shen Haixiong.

Regarding the participation of Latin America, there are several documentaries in Spanish that are broadcast within the festival. ReporteAsia selected two to share with its readers with a Latin American presence and one on nature in China, but in CGTN’s YouTube channel in Spanish other participants can be seen.

Soccer Colors: The Soccer Dream

In 2015, Nahuel Oyola came to China from Argentina with his father, Atilio Oyola, to start his journey as a soccer coach. Language and cultural barriers have not prevented them from passing on their knowledge. After seven years, China is already his second homeland. Promoting the development of Chinese football and making children fall in love with the beautiful game is the goal they have set for themselves. How are your goals being achieved now? Have your dreams come true?

Young Latin Americans in Rural China Episode I: A researcher from Mexico takes a trip to Beichuan

On May 12, 2008, the Great Wenchuan Earthquake struck Sichuan Province in China. Rafael Robertos Matsushima was born in Mexico in 1985, the year in which a major earthquake also occurred in his country. Since he heard about the Wenchuan earthquake, he wanted to go to the earthquake zone to find projects that could help him further into local economic development. In 2015, he came to the Chinese city of Mianyang. After a year he returned to China, where he has been for seven years since.

This year, he visited Tianba village in Beichuan Qiang Autonomous County to conduct research. Thanks to his visits, he not only met good friends, but also learned how the town has rebuilt itself after the earthquake, rising out of poverty and moving towards a better future.

the tints of nature

In the far south of China, magnificent karst formations have created the most exceptional landscapes. Here, the Yangshuo District, where romance and passion coexist, is the most dazzling pearl. At the moment, Zhou Yi, a plant dyeing artist, is looking for plants in nature and taking care of preparations for his upcoming exhibition. She incorporates her personal experience and her love for this land into her works.

Despite the challenges and failures, dyeing with plants continues to fascinate him. His persistence shows the whole world the lifestyle of Chinese youth. Let’s enter the world of Zhou Yi’s plant dyeing and learn about this healthy and environmentally friendly ancient Chinese craft.

Collaborator in ReporteAsia.