Abuja: Yang Jianxing, Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria and Director of the China Cultural Center, has described the Asian Film Festival as a historic event aimed at deepening Asian and African civilisations.
Jianxing said this at the opening of the 7th Asian Film Festival 2025 in Abuja on Tuesday.
The Chinese cultural counselor said, “Culture is our food, film is a very important part of the culture through which we can know other countries’ people’s culture.
“I can say that we are the same, but have different lifestyles, due to the way we express ourselves by ensuring that we know ourselves in our society and today’s world,” he said.
According to him, this event will provide a good opportunity for the great and friendly Nigerian people to introduce Asian countries and their cultures.
“First of all, I have to express my gratitude to all ambassadors, esteemed embassies, and countries. This year marks the seventh edition of the Asian Film Festival, and every year, your embassy is very passionate about bringing together Asian countries to showcase Asian beauty.
“We want to say thank you to the Korean embassy and KCCN for the great work they are doing in the background, as well as their short movie.
“The Chinese embassy and the China Culture Center are going to showcase a very humorous film, just like you watched.
“The film is a very good symbol for the cultural exchange, because the director and the actors are from China, but we used some Korean ideas,” he added.
He noted that, through the event, Chinese society, the other Asian countries’ societies, and everyone present could feel the beauty of their friendship.
Mr Kozaki Hitoshi, Charge d’Affaires at the Embassy of Japan, said that Asian countries produced a wide range of cinematic works rooted in their long histories and cultures.
“Asian Film Festival is being held here in Nigeria, where the film industry is highly developed, and knowledge has gained attention on the global stage.
“It provides an excellent opportunity for everyone to experience a cinematic culture, the cultures of Asian that deepen future understanding.
” I hope as many resilient friends as possible should become more familiar with Asian films and develop a deeper interest in Asia’s diverse cultures through this film festival,” he said.
Mr Jeon Juho, Director of the Korean Cultural Centre in Nigeria (KCCN), also described the event as a platform designed to foster understanding by offering cross-cultural experiences through the richness of Asian cinema.
Juho recalled that the first Asian Film Festival was held on July 3, 2017, adding that the participants sustained the festival by gathering because of their mutual appreciation for culture and shared values.
According to him, mutual appreciation for culture and shared values is reflected not only in Asian countries’ societies but also in their films.
The KCCN director said, “This year, Korea submitted a movie titled ‘The Way Home, a gentle, heartfelt Korean film that beautifully showcased rural culture and universal family bonds, earning both domestic and international acclaim.”
“In fact, all the films this year tell powerful, character-driven stories about family, connection, and personal growth, illuminated through a distinct cultural lens of our various countries.
“So, let us remember that these stories, whether set in busy cities or quiet villages, are more than just entertainment.
“They are windows into the lives, struggles, dreams, and hopes of people from different walks of life, but the ultimate reality is that we all share a common goal,” he said.
Juho commended Jianxing for voluntarily providing the Chinese Culture Center as a venue for the 2025 Asian Film Festival.
Mr Gholamreza Mahdavi Raga, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Nigeria, said the event not only celebrates cinema but also celebrates cultural dialogue, mutual understanding, and friendship among nations.
Raga hailed all the participating countries, especially China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Turkey, for their meaningful contributions, which have made this festival a truly international cultural event.
According to him, the festival, established years ago by the Islamic Republic of Iran, represented a collective effort and a successful example of cultural cooperation among Asian nations.
He added that culture and art were the universal language of humanity, and cinema holds a special place among them.
“Film has a unique power to tell the stories that transcend borders, languages, and politics. Through cinema, we can see the world through others’ eyes.
“We have discovered how deeply connected we are as human beings, because films are not merely images and sounds, but they are reflections of societies, expressions of human emotions, and a means of understanding between people and nations,” he said.
The ambassador added that in a world that increasingly needs dialogue, empathy, and peace, cultural events like this festival play a vital role.
According to him, the film festival also helps break down barriers, strengthen mutual respect, and bring cultures closer together.
“We firmly believe that cinema and cultural exchange can contribute significantly to stronger relations among our nations and build lasting bonds between our people.
“I express my sincere gratitude to the organisers, partners, sponsors, filmmakers, and everyone who contributed to making this festival possible, and to the audience for your presence and your support.
“I sincerely hope that this festival can inspire new perspectives, deeper friendship, and sustainable cultural cooperation,” he said.
