US sees another side of China Wildlife movie coproduction shows angle not known to many
Born in China, a ChineseAmerican wildlife documentary coproduction, has been offering US moviegoers a feast for the eyes and food for thought since opening in US theaters a day before Earth Day, April 22.
The film’s stunning imagery was captured over three years, largely in Qinghai and Sichuan provinces, and it follows the lives of pandas, golden monkeys and snow leopards, with additional footage of red-crowned cranes and chiru, or Tibetan antelopes. It was coproduced by Disneynature and Shanghai Media Group.
“The film serves to increase humans’ awareness of the importance and urgency of protecting wildlife,” Chinese Ambassador to the US Cui Tiankai said at a reception at China’s embassy in Washington on Friday.
“Besides, we can learn much from animals, such as pandas, on how to coexist peacefully and harmoniously,” Cui told a group of US guests before the showing of the film.
Susan Thornton, acting assistant secretary of the US State Department, told China Daily, “It would be good for American audiences to see Chinese people caring about the planet, and conserving wildlife and natural spaces.”
Roy Conli, producer of BorninChina, Born in China, said he had been “totally unaware” of the wilderness of China, including what was happening on t he Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and in the mountains of Sichuan, before the making of the film.
“It just shows you how wondrous this planet is,” said Conli, the Oscar-winning producer of Big Hero 6. “We need to protect animal populations … in order to protect ourselves.”
For Lu Chuan, an accomplished Chinese director, directing the film allowed him to share the beauty of China, and Chinese people’s attitude toward life.
“This is a film that will tell
The film serves to increase humans’ awareness of the importance and urgency of protecting wildlife.” Cui Tiankai, Chinese ambassador to the US
our audience that besides Beijing and Shanghai, and besides heavy industries and pollution, China has incredibly beautiful sides that many are hardly aware of — the crystal clear skies, the stunning sceneries and wildlife habitats,” Lu said.
In addition to appearing at US theaters, Born in China will be rendered into a dozen languages and later released in over 100 countries and regions, according to Cui Yuying, vice-minister of the State Council Information Office.
Cui said the China-US coproduction is emblematic of the decision at the April Mar-a-Lago meeting of Pres-
Public getting unusual glimpse into one of the military’s most closely guarded branches
The public got a rare glimpse into one of the most secret branches of China’s military forces on Sunday when the People’s Liberation Army Navy released a video of the training and exercises of its nuclear submarine force.
The video, called Things About the PLA Navy’s Nuclear Submarines, shows crew members taking an oath while standing atop the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, officers operating equipment within submarines as well as a submarine firing a torpedo.
The force’s attack and ballistic missile submarines are shown sailing on the surface or taking part in a naval parade.
The video also shows China’s first submerged launch of its submarinebased ballistic missile.
On Sunday, the PLA Navy celebrated the 68th anniversary of its founding. Over decades, the Navy has evolved from an antiquated, poorly equipped force into a modern and capable power.
Pictures of the nation’s nuclear submarines are rare — they are one of the PLA’s most powerful weapons and incorporate many military and technological secrets.
The Navy has never released information about its nuclear sub- ident Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump to ratchet up bilateral exchanges, including cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
“The State Council Information Office welcomes and will continue to support international organizations to tell China stories … to ramp up understanding and friendship between Chinese and people in the US and the rest of the world,” she said.
The film’s Chinese version was released in August. A trailer is available at nature.disney.com.
Deng Leshuo in Washington contributed to this story. marines’ construction, commissioning or deployment.
The PLA Navy also released another video of the firing of various kinds of ammunition from ships, submarines and aircraft. It is filled with images of anti-ship and air defense missiles roaring away from warships with flames and deafening sounds.
The most rarely seen parts of the video include images of a submarine launching two missiles underwater as well as an H-6 bomber and a J-15 carrier-borne fighter jet delivering anti-ship cruise missiles.
The Navy published another four videos on Sunday, including one showing live-fire exercises of the PLA Navy Marine Corps and one saluting the Navy’s female sailors.
On Sunday, the Navy began public tours of its first nuclear submarine – theChangzheng nuclear-powered attack submarine.
The submarine, which was in active service for more than 40 years, is now displayed at the Navy Museum in Qingdao, Shandong province.
Online