On 25 September, the China Media Group was present at the headquarters of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) to celebrate the screening of a CGTN production in the framework of the China Documentary Film Festival 2023, reflecting the concept of a community of human destiny and the history of the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative.
At the event, CGTN’s documentary film Building a Blue Sea of Dreams, shot in China and six Latin American countries, was presented to the public for the first time. The documentary explores stories behind the Belt and Road Initiative, reveals a historical overview with realistic images and outlines the future of joint development of China and Latin American countries, and conveys the vision of “mutual understanding of civilisations, cooperation and mutually beneficial development” between China and Latin American countries. Around 100 officials from Chile and ECLAC, diplomats from Latin American countries in Chile and guests from all sectors of Chilean society attended the screening.
China Media Group Chairman Shen Haixiong recalled that, in September and October 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping on different occasions will be proposing to the world the initiative to jointly build the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. The Belt and Road Initiative has always adhered to the principles of broad consultation, joint construction and shared benefits, which has driven the harmonious interaction among all countries in joint construction of the initiative. It has given rise to and implemented hundreds of projects between China and Latin American countries in the areas of investment and trade, industrial cooperation and cultural exchanges, benefiting the peoples of the different nations. This kind of sincere cooperation under a common ideal is also the original intention of the China Media Group in organising the China Documentary Film Festival. The China Media Group will join hands with friends around the world to promote the concept of a community of human destiny and write a new chapter of the Belt and Road Initiative through the use of audiovisual material.
ECLAC Executive Secretary José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs said that China has been an important and dynamic partner for Latin American and Caribbean countries not only in terms of trade but also in terms of highly demanded infrastructure. And it is to be hoped that this contribution will continue and be consolidated. Salazar-Xirinachs noted that there is no doubt that the Belt and Road Initiative has added a new dimension to multilateralism in the international system, with its emphasis on infrastructure and its contribution to sustainable development and stressed that ECLAC was pleased to act as hosts for the documentary.
Niu Qingbao, Ambassador of China to Chile, stated in his speech that, over the past five years, relations between China and Latin American countries have continued to deepen in the new era of equality, mutual benefit, innovation, openness and benefit to the people, and the road of friendship and cooperation across the non-violent Pacific Ocean has become increasingly broad with the help of the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative. He added that China will work hand in hand with Latin American countries to create a new situation of cooperation, expanding fields, improving its structure and boosting its quality, with the aim of bringing more opportunities for the development of China and Latin American countries, more benefits for the people of different nations, and prosperity and stability for the world, and firmly advancing on the road of building a community of human destiny.
Carola Muñoz Oliva, Director of the Division of Cultures, Arts, Heritage and Public Diplomacy of Chile, recognised the great value of the documentary festival in terms of its work as a bridge between cultures, in this case Chinese and Chilean. Muñoz Oliva pointed out that the arts and culture are the best tools for bringing the peoples and societies of the world closer together.
For his part, Carlos Salazar, a Chilean news commentator, said he hopes that with the new Chilean government, Chile will be able to exploit all its potential and all the possibilities for openness and understanding with other countries, but especially with China. He hopes to see more Chinese companies entering the Chilean market and that bilateral cooperation will grow exponentially.
Screenings in the framework of the 2023 edition of the China Documentary Film Festival with the theme of the Belt and Road Initiative will continue throughout the year. CGTN will collaborate with mainstream media in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Honduras, Mexico, Peru, El Salvador and other Latin American countries to present nearly 30 episodes of 10 original documentaries, showcasing the stories of friendship behind the building of the Belt and Road Initiative in politics, economics, sports, education, literature, art and other areas.