2023 China Documentary Festival international screening held in Chile

United Nations

The 2023 China Documentary Festival international screening is held in Santiago, Chile. /CMG

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). China Media Group (CMG) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) jointly held the 2023 China Documentary Festival international screening at the UN organization’s headquarters in Santiago, Chile on Monday.

The CGTN documentary titled “Construir un mar azul de suenos” makes its debut at the event in Santiago, Chile, September 25, 2023. /CMG

Through BRI-themed videos, the international screening aims to let people understand the concept of a global community with a shared future and learn the story of China cooperating with other countries to achieve win-win development under the initiative.

At this screening event, the CGTN documentary titled “Construir un mar azul de suenos” made its debut. Filmed in China and six Latin American countries, the documentary explores the historical and story-telling aspects of the grand theme of the BRI and draws a new blueprint for the future development of China and Latin America, conveying the vision of “mutual learning of civilizations, mutually beneficial cooperation, and win-win development” between China and Latin America.

CMG President Shen Haixiong delivers a speech. /CMG

Noting the BRI stresses the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, Shen Haixiong, CMG president, said at the event that between China and Latin America, regardless of the fields in investment and trade, industrial cooperation and cultural exchanges, the BRI has brought benefits to people in these regions through hundreds of projects.

Shen added the CMG will work with friends at home and abroad to publicize the concept of a global community of shared future through videos and images and write a new poem of the BRI.

José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, executive secretary of ECLAC, noted that the BRI contributes to regional infrastructure building and sustainable development, adding that the UN organization has high expectations that the BRI will contribute to the sustainable development of countries in Latin America.

As for the screening event, Salazar-Xirinachs said it fully demonstrates the positive role played by the Chinese media in China-Latin America pragmatic cooperation and serves the common interests of both sides.

Officials and analysts from Chile agreed the documentary at the screening event showcased how the cultural, economic and trade exchanges between China and Latin America in the past have played a unique role in promoting people-to-people and cultural exchanges while enhancing mutual understanding between the two peoples in the past.

This year, the BRI-themed China Documentary Festival international screening will continue until the end of 2023.

On these events, CGTN will broadcast 10 original documentaries of nearly 30 episodes on mainstream media from Latin American countries including Argentina, Chile and Mexico, showcasing how China joins hands with other countries in multiple fields including economics, sports and education to enhance connectivity and friendly exchanges under the BRI.