To celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia, the 2024 Malaysia "China Film Festival" opened in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 14. Supported by the Chinese embassy in Malaysia and the China Film Administration, it was co-organized by the China Film Archive, the China Cultural Centre in Kuala Lumpur, and the Chinese Film Association of Malaysia.

More than 300 guests were present at the opening ceremony and enjoyed the opening film "Pegasus 2". They included YB Teo Nie Ching, Deputy Minister of Communications of Malaysia, H.E Zheng Xuefang, Chargé d'affaires of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Malaysia, Dato' Azmir Saifuddin Bin Mutalib, Chief Executive Officer of National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS), Mr. Lin Siwei, Deputy Director of China Film Archive, Ms. Li Hua, Representative of China Cultural Centre in Kuala Lumpur, and Mr. Leonard Tee, President of Chinese Film Association of Malaysia.

YB Teo Nie Ching said in her opening speech that CFF built a precious platform of exchange between the audiovisual sectors of the two countries, facilitating the mutual learning and cooperation among filmmakers. She added that the Malaysia Film Incentive Program (FIMI) would attract more international productions to Malaysia for filming.

YB Teo Nie Ching, Deputy Minister of Communications of Malaysia

According to Zheng Xuefang, the film art sheds light on reality and connects different cultures. The CFF offers a major platform for showcasing achievements of the Chinese cinema and bilateral cooperation, strengthening the cultural foundation for China-Malaysia friendship.

Zheng Xuefang, Chargé d'affaires of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Malaysia

Lin Siwei spoke highly of the long-standing and ever-deepening cinematic cooperation between the two countries under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. He expressed the hope that this year's festival, celebrating the 50th diplomatic anniversary, would be a new starting point for even greater cultural exchange and win-win cooperation in the audiovisual sector.

Lin Siwei, Deputy Director of China Film Archive

Themed “Celebrating Five Decades of Friendship with Splendours of Chinese Cinema”, the seven-day festival is showing 12 films, presenting local audiences with both Chinese classics and contemporary productions, including "Spiders"(2K restored), "Third Sister Liu"(2K restored), "Spring in a Small Town"(2K restored), "Red Sorghum" (4K restored), "Chang An", "New Gods: Yang Jian", "Never Say Never", "Ping Pong: The Triumph", and "Pegasus 2".

(Translated by Luo Desai)