Yang Jianxing, Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria and Director of China Cultural Center, has described Asian Film Festival as an historic event aimed at deepening Asian civilisation and African civilisation.
Jianxing said this at the opening of the 7th Asian Film Festival 2025 in Abuja on Tuesday.
The Chinese cultural counselor said, “Culture is our food, film is a very important part of the culture through which we can know other country people’s culture.
“I can say that we are the same, but a little different lifestyles, due to the way we express ourselves by ensuring that we know ourselves in our society and today’s world,” he said.
According to him, this event will create good opportunity for great and friendly Nigerian people for Asian countries to know what kind of cultures do Asian countries have.“First of all, I have to express my gratitude to all ambassadors, esteemed embassies and countries.
This year is seventh edition of Asian Film Festival and every year your embassy is very passionate to gather Asian countries to show Asian beauty.
“We want to say thank you to Korea embassy and KCCN for the great work they are doing at the background as well as their short movie.
“The Chinese embassy and the China Culture Center are going to showcase a very humorous film just like you watched
“The film is a very good symbol for the culture exchange, because the director and the actors are from China, but we used some Korean ideas,” he added.
He noted that Chinese society and the other Asian country societies and everyone present could through the event feel the beauty of their friendship.
“Asian Film Festival holding here in Nigeria where film industry is highly developed and knowledge has gained attention on the global stage.
“It provides an excellent opportunity for everyone to experience a cinematic cultures, cultures of Asian that deepen future understanding.
”I hope as many resilient friends as possible should become more familiar with Asian films and develop a deeper interest in Asia’s diverse cultures through this film festival,” he said.
Mr Jeon Juho, Director, Korean Cultural Centre in Nigeria (KCCN), also described the event as a platform designed to foster understanding by allowing cross cultural experiences through the richness of Asian cinema.
Juho recalled that the first Asian Film Festival was held on July 3, 2017, adding that the participants sustained the festival as they gathered due to their mutual appreciation for culture and shared values.
According to him, the mutual appreciation for culture and shared value does not only reflect in Asian’s countries societies, but in the aspect of their films.
KCCN director said, “This year, Korea’s submitted movie titled” The Way Home”, a gentle heartfelt Korean film that beautifully showcased rural culture and universal family bonds that earned both domestic and international acclaim.
“In fact, all the films this year tell powerful, character-driven stories about family, connection and personal growth, illuminated through a distinct cultural lens of our various countries.
“So, let us remember that these stories whether set in busy cities or quiet villages are more than just entertainment.
“They are windows into the lives, struggles, dreams, and hopes of people from different walks of life, but the ultimate realities is that we all share common goal,” he said.
Juho commended Jianxing for volunteeringly providing Chinese Culture Center as venue for the 2025 Asian Film Festival.
Mr Gholamreza Mahdavi Raga, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Nigeria, said the event does not only celebrate cinema, but also celebrate cultural dialogue, mutual understanding and friendship among nations.
Raga hailed all the participating countries, especially China, Japan, Republic of Korea and Turkey for their meaningful contributions, which have made this festival a truly international culture.
According to him, the festival, which was originally established years ago through the initiative of the Islamic Republic of Iran, represented a collective effort and successful example of cultural cooperation among Asian’s nations.
