Culture enhancing cross-border communications

Diversified cultural forms, particularly video products such as movies and short videos on social media platforms, will deepen cross-border communications and further improve the appeal of Chinese culture, said a Thai expert.

Culture was a buzzword during last year's two sessions. China's biggest annual political event, the annual sessions of the nation's top legislature and political advisory body, is expected to continue drawing wide attention this month.

As mentioned in last year's Government Work Report, China will implement cultural projects that creatively benefit the public and improve the services of free public cultural facilities. More efforts will be made to develop the cultural sector.

"The impressive box performance of Chinese animated film Ne Zha 2 reflects the country's cultural achievements. It represents the rise of China's animation industry in terms of technology, an epitome of its significant overall development," said Chalermchatri Yukol, a member of Thai National Soft Power Strategy Committee and the National Film Committee.

As a sequel to the 2019 animated box office hit Ne Zha, Ne Zha 2 draws inspiration from China's 16th-century classic novel The Investiture of the Gods. This animated fantasy adventure has not only exceeded the earnings of last year's top-grossing film, Inside Out 2, but has also claimed the title of the highest-grossing animated film of all time.

As a famous Thai film and TV director, Chalermchatri said he had seen Ne Zha and was impressed by the storytelling, which reinterprets traditional culture from a modern perspective, aligning it more with contemporary audiences' aesthetics and values.

"The most challenging part of an animated film is technology. That's why developed countries such as the United States have dominated the related market for years. The success of Ne Zha 2 is definitely a major breakthrough, which reflects China's rapid overall development," Chalermchatri said.

Apart from this resolute hit at the box office, he also named several other Chinese films that impressed him a lot, such as The Eight Hundred, which tells the story of 800 Chinese soldiers fighting under siege from a warehouse in the middle of the Shanghai battlefield, which was entirely surrounded by the Japanese army.

"Many foreigners who haven't been to China are familiar with the country through the lens. The booming Chinese film market and the surging amount of films produced by the country show the world a more colorful and vivid China with different looks. It has helped the world to know China more," said Chalermchatri.

"To make the world know China more, China should fully encourage the blossom of all diversified art forms, covering music, film, literature, painting, etc, encouraging all kinds of art forms to bridge China with different cultures and thoughts worldwide," Chalermchatri said.

He noted that China and Thailand enjoy long-term friendships and partnerships beyond the blood ties that connect their people. But for most Thai people nowadays, such connections with China and understanding of the country are out of touch with China's current development.

"For example, the Chinese TV series mostly known by Thai people is still Bao Qingtian, a Chinese drama released 40 years ago. And the most popular Chinese singer is still Teresa Teng," he added.

Amid the new communication trend due to technological reform, Chalermchatri stressed the importance of triggering the interests and curiosities of people outside, especially the younger generation.

Also, he prioritized the role of social media platforms in boosting cross-border communication and mutual understanding amid recent reports on "TikTok Refugees" — people who decided to explore alternative social media platforms due to potential TikTok bans.

"Social media platforms are open stages for everyone to share their stories. People want to talk and communicate. It's human nature that shouldn't be banned due to geographical politics," he said.

He revealed that there are several cultural events jointly organized by the Thai and Chinese governments and private sectors to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Sino-Thai diplomatic relations, including the first Thai-Chinese Film Festival that is to be scheduled in Chiang Mai this June.

"Also, I will lead a team to participate in film festivals and some other cultural events this year in several Chinese cities including Shanghai and Kunming (in Yunnan province). Seeing is believing. I hope the lens can strengthen ties between people of the two countries and encourage them to visit each other more for a deeper understanding," he said.

yangwanli@chinadaily.com.cn