To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the 2025 "China Film Night" was grandly held at Monte Cinema in Johannesburg on July 30. The event featured a special screening of the documentary The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru, serving as a tribute to history and a call to cherish peace. The event was co-hosted by the China Film Administration and the Consulate General of China in Johannesburg, and organized by the China Film Archive.

Chinese Consul General in Johannesburg Pan Qingjiang, Deputy Director of the China Film Administration Luo Yang, and Speaker of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature of South Africa, Ms. Ntombi Mekgwe, attended the event. Together with over 150 guests from various sectors of South African society, they watched the film and visited the accompanying photo exhibition.

In his speech, Pan Qingjiang highlighted China’s key role in the World Anti-Fascist War and expressed China’s commitment to upholding the international order and global justice. He called for strengthened China-South Africa cooperation to advance bilateral ties and contribute to world peace, stability, and prosperity.

In her remarks, Luo Yang praised recent achievements in the Chinese film industry and noted 2025 as a key year for implementing FOCAC Beijing Summit outcomes. She highlighted ongoing China-South Africa film exchanges, including the successful China-Africa Film Week held in June. She expressed hope that today’s screening would deepen South African audiences’ understanding of history and culture, encouraging them to explore China through film.

Mekgwe emphasized the need to remember the contributions of the Chinese people and others to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War.She underscored the importance of learning from history to face today’s challenges together and voiced confidence in the continued growth of South Africa–China relations.

Remarks by Guests

The event also received strong support from China UnionPay.

(Translated by Luo Desai)