The first edition of the Chinese Film Festival will be inaugurated in Chisinau on December 12. The opening ceremony will take place at Cineplex Loteanu at 5:00PM, IPN reports quoting a press release from the Chinese-language Guang Hua Cultures et Media.

The Festival’s chairman Zhang Xiaobai said that the purpose is “to make use of the big screen to allow the Moldovan people to understand the history of Chinese reform through Chinese culture. We hope this will be the first edition of many more to come in Moldova and that it will serve as a bridge between film enthusiasts and cinematographers from the two countries”.

“We are honored to be here, in the capital of Moldova, a city rich in culture and charm, with which we have a long friendship. This year, China and Moldova are celebrating the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations”, added Zhang Xiaobai.

In 2016, Chinese film festivals were launched in Germany and Italy. These initiatives, according to Zhang Xiaobai, “played an active role in promoting mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese, Germans and Italians. The success in these countries has taught us one thing: film festivals are essential in promoting mutual understanding and appreciation between people from different countries. Friendship between people is the fundamental key to solid relations between states”.

The opening ceremony will include the screening of the film “Hold Your Hands”, based on the true story of 18 Cave Village, which reflects the miracle of poverty eradication in China. Thanks to its fascinating story, the skill of the actors and the impressive choreography, the film won numerous awards and praise from the juries of the many film festivals it participated in.

The Festival is organized by Guang Hua Cultures et Media and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Moldova.