Chinese film showcase opens in St Petersburg

Chinese film stars Jackie Chan and Zhang Ziyi are present at the 2013 Chinese Film Festival in St. Petersburg.

The 2013 Chinese Film Festival has opened in St Petersburg. The opening ceremony attracts not only famous film stars and film makers from China, but also high-ranking officials from both countries.

The 2013 Chinese Film Festival opened with a grand ceremony in St Petersburg on Wednesday. Chinese Vice-Premier Wang Yang and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin attended the opening ceremony. Wang Yang says this event could help people from the two countries learn more about each other and also enhance the China-Russia friendship. He hopes the two countries can cooperate to produce more good films.

Wang Yang, Chinese Vice Premier, said, "When I was young, Russian films were popular in China. I watched a lot of Russian films at that time. Those films allowed me to better understand the culture and people in Russia. I believe the Chinese Film Festival in St. Petersburg can also help Russian people get to know China."

Before the opening ceremony, Wang met members from the Chinese delegation, such as renowned director Peter Chan and film stars Jackie Chan and Zhang Ziyi.

Ten Chinese films will be shown at the festival, including Peter Chan's "American Dreams in China", familiar rags to riches story spanning 30 years. Jackie Chan's "12 Zodiacs" and "The Grand Master" directed by Wong Kar-Wai will also meet local audience.