In a vibrant display of diplomatic and cultural synergy, a Chinese documentary screening series was launched in Belgrade this past Wednesday. The event comes at a pivotal moment, occurring just days before Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic is scheduled to visit China from May 24 to 28.
The initiative was a collaborative effort organized by the China Media Group (CMG), Radio Television of Serbia (PTC), the Serbian Ministry of Culture, the Chinese Embassy in Serbia, and the Serbian Embassy in China. The series features a curated selection of CMG-produced documentaries that delve into China's rich cultural heritage, cutting-edge technological innovations, ecological conservation efforts, and broader social development. To ensure wide accessibility, selected titles will be broadcast on PTC and the Politika website.
In a written address, CMG President Shen Haixiong described the screening series as a concrete step toward deepening people-to-people ties. He emphasized that this initiative aligns with the China-Serbia community with a shared future, a landmark framework under which Serbia became the first European country to partner with China.
The event was well-attended, with over 150 guests from the political, academic, and media sectors. Marina Ragus, deputy speaker of the National Assembly of Serbia, noted that the documentaries serve as a dialogue reaching the heart and mind, enabling both Serbia and the global community to gain a more comprehensive and objective understanding of China. She expressed confidence that the partnership between PTC and CMG will continue to play a vital role in fostering friendship between the two nations.
Echoing this sentiment, Serbian Minister of Information and Telecommunications Boris Bratina highlighted the importance of cultural exchange in an era where some promote narratives of a "clash of civilizations." He remarked that deepening cultural ties through dialogue is profoundly meaningful, allowing Serbian audiences to perceive China more vividly and broaden their global perspective.
The cultural exchange is a two-way street. Serbian ambassador to China Maja Stefanovic, in a video address, reminded attendees that classic Serbian films like Walter Defends Sarajevo and The Bridge have long been cherished within Chinese cultural memory. She suggested that this new screening series offers Serbian audiences a reciprocal and unique cultural experience.
Manja Grcic, director general of PTC, hailed the event as a significant achievement in Serbia-China cultural and media cooperation, expressing her belief that the documentaries will be warmly received by the Serbian public and provide deeper insights into the complexities and achievements of China.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
