China is encouraging foreign filmmakers to shoot documentaries about the country.
Over the next two months, 30 directors from abroad will travel to Shenzhen, Shanghai, Xiamen and other cities to discover stories about China's far-reaching reforms that can be told to a global audience.
Among them is Oscar-award winner Malcolm Clarke, as well as directors from the BBC and the Discovery Channel.
"The theme of this event is reporting changes in a great era," Jiang Jianguo, vice head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, told the launching ceremony for the visit in Beijing on Thursday.
"Many foreign directors and producers involved are old friends of China. They've witnessed China's reform and opening-up process. We believe this event will make the world better understand the achievements and meaning of China's reform and opening-up, boosting the friendship between China and the world."
Documentary film director and Oscar winner Ke Wensi delivers a keynote speech at the launching ceremony of the event on September 20. /Xinhua Photo
Clarke, who's about to release his documentary on China-US relations titled "Better Angels," says that in order to tell what China is, it's necessary to shoot all over the world.
"We shot in America and China, we then shot through Africa, through the Middle East, in Europe, and you know it just grew and grew," he said. "Then President Trump was elected, we need to reflect that reality. It's coming out in this country and America simultaneously, in theatres, not on TV, in both countries. So November 2, right before the mid-terms in America, the movie will come out."
Clarke advised that Chinese stories, particularly related to technological achievements, should be told in a human way. "Emotional stories are always gonna be better," he continued. "I think if China can do that, they can break down barriers. A lot of people in the world will not be afraid of China, they'll respect and admire the country, and the country does deserve to be admired."
The visit by the directors is hosted by the State Council Information Office and undertaken by Chinese-language online search engine Chinaso.com.
In the coming two months, the Chinese stories told by these filmmakers will be shared among global audiences via TV and multimedia platforms.