This weekend, the world marks Earth Day: the global campaign aimed at raising environmental awareness.

And in honor of the occasion, Disneynature is releasing a special film, called “Born in China.”

CGTN’s Roee Ruttenberg reports.

It’s a rare and breathtaking glimpse at the so-called Middle Kingdom’s animal kingdom.

“Born in China” follows the stories of three animal families through China’s vast terrains: golden monkeys, snow leopards, and the country’s beloved giant pandas.

“Whether you’re telling a story about a family of bears in Alaska, or whether you are telling a story about a snow leopard in Chinghai plateau – 14,000 or 15,000 feet above sea level – the core element of their survival is so important to the world and each individual,” Roy Conli, the film’s producer said.

The film’s Chinese director, Lu Chuan, said it gives the world a chance to see a different side of China.

“China is kind of a very popular idea in Western audiences, but I think they never had the chance to see the beautiful landscape of China, they never had the chance to see the wild animals in China, so I think it’s a good opportunity for me to deliver this kind of good, beautiful image to those audiences,” Lu Chuan said.

Chinese officials said that films like this transcend borders.

“The film “Born in China,” a Disney co-production with Chinese institutions for the first time, is undoubtedly a masterpiece, and a symbol of the deepening people-to-people and cultural exchanges between our two countries,” Cui Yuying from the Chinese State Council Information Office said.

For nearly a decade, Disneynature has released its films to coincide with Earth Day. Previous movies took viewers on a journey through Africa. In 2009, “Oceans” took them underwater. Disneynature called “Born in China” its most ambitious film yet.

“We filmed across the entirety of China. That really required a massive undertaking, putting multiple crews out the field at the same time, all over the country to capture some remarkable wildlife,” Paul Baribault, North America Head of Disneynature said.

Disneynature has made six of the seven highest grossing nature films out there. Many are hoping ‘Born in China’ will join the list, and maybe even top it.

Lu Chuan talks about the nature documentary “Born in China”

To discuss the new nature documentary “Born in China,” CGTN’s Mike Walter sat down with the film’s director, Lu Chuan.